Working with Sport Clients in Transitions: Four Practitioners, Four Narratives

Abstract

In this paper, we aim to present four narratives disclosing our applied experiences of working with sport clients in transitions. Within the narratives, each practitioner reflected on their professional philosophy, approaches used in practice, and provided a case illustration. The four included cases on transitions of a student-athlete, a retired jockey, a novice baseball coach, and a basketball coach were informed by diversified developmental theoretical perspectives, employing context-driven approaches, and person-centered collaborations. Consistent with the literature, we share effective ways of developing client awareness of the transition demands/barriers, helping them become more resourceful to cope, supporting their coping strategies, and stimulating reflexivity on their transition experience.

Keywords:

• Athlete
• career assistance
• career transitions
• coach
• professional philosophy
• professional practice

Disclosure statement

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