Login (DCU Staff Only)
Login (DCU Staff Only)

DORAS | DCU Research Repository

Explore open access research and scholarly works from DCU

Advanced Search

A pick and mix approach: an exploration of a multiple mentor network for developing coaches

O’Brien, Paul T. orcid logoORCID: 0000-0001-5076-8817 and Taylor, Robin D orcid logoORCID: 0000-0001-9530-8355 (2025) A pick and mix approach: an exploration of a multiple mentor network for developing coaches. Sports Coaching Review . ISSN 2164-0637

Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of mentees in a multiple mentor network (MMN) in a Gaelic Games tertiary education environment. The primary purpose was to identify the effectiveness of an MMN for student-coaches, while the secondary purpose was to explore the impact of programme design. A multi-methods research design was adopted. Mentors (n = 4) and mentees (n = 6) completed online reflective journals throughout the eight-month programme. Semi-structured interviews, conducted by the programme coordinator, were completed before, during and after the programme, which were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. The findings explored a) the role of the programme coordinator, b) programme design, c) the mentoring process and relationships developing d) the development of an informal mentoring community, e) in-situ coach education, and f) changing coaching practice of mentees and their epistemology. Consequently, the findings have implications for the implementation of mentoring programmes and a need for understanding contextual factors when delivering.
Metadata
Item Type:Article (Published)
Refereed:Yes
Uncontrolled Keywords:Formal mentoring, mentees, student coaches , coach education, programme coordinator
Subjects:Medical Sciences > Health
Medical Sciences > Performance
Medical Sciences > Sports sciences
DCU Faculties and Centres:DCU Faculties and Schools > Faculty of Science and Health > School of Health and Human Performance
Publisher:Taylor & Francis
Official URL:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21640...
Copyright Information:Authors
ID Code:33213
Deposited On:18 Aug 2026 13:31 by Eimear Maher . Last Modified 18 Aug 2026 13:31
Documents

Full text available as:

[thumbnail of Coach Mentoring Author Manuscript.pdf]
Preview
PDF - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader
404kB
Metrics

Altmetric Badge

Dimensions Badge

Downloads

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

Archive Staff Only: edit this record