Experiences of a parent-coach: ‘a different ball game’ – an autoethnographic account

Volunteer parent-coaches form a substantive component of the global coaching workforce and their contributions to children’s sporting participation are both vital and commendable. However, despite the role’s importance, it remains under-researched. Accordingly, the purpose of this personal account was to provide insight to the author’s experiences as a volunteer grassroots football (soccer) parent-coach in England. This novel autoethnographical approach reflects on my entry into the parent-coach role, in situ experiences, and culminates with my decision to step back, encompassing my entire tenure as a volunteer parent-coach over a seven-year period. Social, biographical, relational, cultural, emotional, and (micro)political experiences are explored, as I reflect on the challenges, enjoyment, and unease I encountered. The paper aims to provide readers with a greater awareness and deeper understanding of the role and includes implications for both prospective and current parent-coaches. Further, this contribution also ponders whether the parent-coach workforce is being adequately prepared for the complexities and challenges of the dual parent-coach role through formal coach education.