Mentoring in coaching: the means of correct training? An autoethnographic exploration of one Australian swimming coach’s experiences

Abstract

This paper reports on research that identifies the disciplinary mechanism of surveillance and power at work within pathways for coach education in the Australian swimming culture. Utilising autoethnography and Foucault, one Australian swimming coach’s experiences are explored, particularly his experiences within the mentor–mentee relationship of the Australian swimming coaching culture. It is contended that mentor coaches act as intermediaries of the wider sporting organisation and apply mechanisms to that are perceived as encouraging conformity and obedient, docile bodies within the mentor–mentee relationship. This research investigates the mentor–mentee relationship that one coach was immersed in and seeks to understand the complex interrelationships central to the development of an individual coach’s practice.

Keywords:

• coaching
• mentoring
• autoethnography
• Foucault
• disciplinary power
• docility
• swimming

Notes

1. Governmentality is a concept developed by Foucault and refers to organised techniques and mentalities used by governments [governing bodies] to create subjects [coaches] that will best fulfil their policies (Mayhew 2004).

2. The technologies of the self centre on the role of the self in power relationships; or ‘how an individual makes sense of limitations set for him/her within the power relations and the truth games s/he is involved in’ (Markula and Pringle 2006, p. 146).

3. Lactating is the colloquial term used to describe lactic acid build up within swimmers muscles during high intensity exercise. ‘At exercise intensities above the anaerobic threshold, lactic acid accumulates causing a burning intra muscular pain’ (Navalta and Hrncir 2007, p. 1305).

4. Colloquial term that means; to insult or denigrate.

5. The FINA points system uses a formulaic system to compare the time swum to the world record for that event. In this way, a score is elucidated and comparisons can be made between swimmers of different age, gender and between the different swimming strokes.