Coaching for Development: Generating Social Impact through Improved Emotional Wellbeing Journal of Sport for Development 58 Original Research

Citation

Walker R (2026) Coaching for Development: Generating Social Impact through Improved Emotional Wellbeing Journal of Sport for Development 58 Original Research. Journal of sport for development, 13 (2), pp. 58-81. https://jsfd.org/2026/02/21/coaching-for-development-generating-social-impact-through-improved-emotional-wellbeing/

Abstract
Coaches are key influencers and enablers helping determine the experiences and extent of participants' development from sport. Yet, limited information exists which documents nuanced, relational, and embodied coaching processes occurring in day-today situations that can lead to transformative change in localized sport settings. Through focusing on Blaze Basketball Club and the team's coaching practices, this article outlines and discusses how the organization intentionally coaches for developmental outcomes, particularly improved emotional wellbeing. Overall, the article calls for a paradigm shift from sport's traditional sport-for-sports-sake model to sport-for-development coaching methods serving the developmental needs and desires of people and communities. The findings highlight the importance of organizations and teams establishing clear purposes, coaching methodologies and coaching strategies which align with participants' needs and learning mechanisms. In support, the research provides guidelines comprising ten-steps and a series of real-life examples and personal reflections to help direct practitioners towards coaching for more intentional social impact. More purposeful social impact is achieved through tailored coaching sessions considering broader circumstances influencing participants within and out with the sporting ecosystem before focusing on establishing connections and relationships between participants and coaches. It is lastly rendered through employing middle-ground developmental approaches such as the Rule of Three.

Keywords
Capability Theory; Coaching; Emotional Wellbeing; Sport-for-Development