Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Positive Coaching Alliance Training on University Club Sports Athletes

This study examined the impact of a required university club sports leader training, delivered between seasons, that incorporated Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) principles and caring, task-involving (CTI) climate strategies. University club sports athletes ( N = 192) completed surveys measuring their perceptions of the motivational climate (CTI, ego), goal orientation (task, ego), and outcomes of enjoyment, effort, sport commitment, and adherence to PCA principles. Results indicated athletes perceived a significantly higher CTI climate following training. Those reporting a higher CTI climate and task orientation reported greater enjoyment, effort, sport commitment, and adherence to PCA philosophy (e.g., respect for all aspects of their sport, wanting to make the team better, believing everyone strived to reach their maximum potential). This was an inaugural effort to connect PCA curriculum with CTI climate and extend training to club sports leaders, with strong potential for the training to foster club sports athletes’ personal growth and life skill development.