Preferences and Perceptions of Generation Y Sport Students towards the Leadership Behaviour of Coaches

Abstract

Congruence of the leadership behaviour of a coach and the preferred coach leadership behaviour of the athlete is of utmost importance for the continued relationship between the coach and athlete, as well as the ultimate success of the athlete. This study investigated the preferences and perceptions of Generation Y sport students towards the leadership behaviour of their coaches. The sport leadership scale of Chelladurai and Saleh (1980), which consists of five dimensions of leadership attributes, was used to conduct the study. A convenience sampling method was used to collect the data from the Generation Y sport students. Paired samples t-tests were conducted between the grouped dimensions of preferences and perceptions. The results indicated that Generation Y sport students would prefer, for example, to be provided with more training and advice, a more democratic approach by the coach, and that the coach should provide more social support and positive feedback. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to determine if perceptions and preferences of sport students regarding the leadership behaviour of coaches differed across the different sport codes. Limited differences were found. Overall, an instrument like this can be used by coaches to improve their coaching behaviour, if found necessary.

DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n21p61