Understanding the Needs of Social Workers in Sport Settings: Opportunities for Specialized Education and Training

ABSTRACT

With many social workers already using or working in sport, understanding available learning opportunities is critical to enhance competency-based practice, a cornerstone of the profession. To meet this need, this study explored learning opportunities used by social workers using or working in sport. In total, 15 social work professionals were interviewed, representing different professional backgrounds and demographics. Findings demonstrate that social workers engaged in several learning opportunities, including formal education, informal learning opportunities, and personal experiences as an athlete. With this new knowledge, organizations such as the National Association of Social Workers and Council on Social Work Education may consider the development of specialty practice areas and social work specializations, further allowing social work students to individualize their education.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Erica D. Magier

Erica D. Magier is a third year doctoral candidate in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. Tarkington J. Newman is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire. Carlyn Kimiecik is a PhD student in health and kinesiology at Purdue University. Katlin Okamoto is a doctoral candidate in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota. Lauren Beasley is a doctoral candidate in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. Lauren Shute is now a PhD student at Louisiana State University School of Social Work. Anita R. Tucker is a professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire.

Tarkington J. Newman

Erica D. Magier is a third year doctoral candidate in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. Tarkington J. Newman is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire. Carlyn Kimiecik is a PhD student in health and kinesiology at Purdue University. Katlin Okamoto is a doctoral candidate in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota. Lauren Beasley is a doctoral candidate in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. Lauren Shute is now a PhD student at Louisiana State University School of Social Work. Anita R. Tucker is a professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire.

Carlyn Kimiecik

Erica D. Magier is a third year doctoral candidate in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. Tarkington J. Newman is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire. Carlyn Kimiecik is a PhD student in health and kinesiology at Purdue University. Katlin Okamoto is a doctoral candidate in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota. Lauren Beasley is a doctoral candidate in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. Lauren Shute is now a PhD student at Louisiana State University School of Social Work. Anita R. Tucker is a professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire.

Katlin Okamoto

Erica D. Magier is a third year doctoral candidate in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. Tarkington J. Newman is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire. Carlyn Kimiecik is a PhD student in health and kinesiology at Purdue University. Katlin Okamoto is a doctoral candidate in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota. Lauren Beasley is a doctoral candidate in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. Lauren Shute is now a PhD student at Louisiana State University School of Social Work. Anita R. Tucker is a professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire.

Lauren Beasley

Erica D. Magier is a third year doctoral candidate in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. Tarkington J. Newman is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire. Carlyn Kimiecik is a PhD student in health and kinesiology at Purdue University. Katlin Okamoto is a doctoral candidate in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota. Lauren Beasley is a doctoral candidate in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. Lauren Shute is now a PhD student at Louisiana State University School of Social Work. Anita R. Tucker is a professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire.

Lauren Shute

Erica D. Magier is a third year doctoral candidate in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. Tarkington J. Newman is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire. Carlyn Kimiecik is a PhD student in health and kinesiology at Purdue University. Katlin Okamoto is a doctoral candidate in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota. Lauren Beasley is a doctoral candidate in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. Lauren Shute is now a PhD student at Louisiana State University School of Social Work. Anita R. Tucker is a professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire.

Anita R. Tucker

Erica D. Magier is a third year doctoral candidate in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University. Tarkington J. Newman is an assistant professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire. Carlyn Kimiecik is a PhD student in health and kinesiology at Purdue University. Katlin Okamoto is a doctoral candidate in the School of Social Work at the University of Minnesota. Lauren Beasley is a doctoral candidate in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. Lauren Shute is now a PhD student at Louisiana State University School of Social Work. Anita R. Tucker is a professor in the Department of Social Work at the University of New Hampshire.