Global coaching development in a knowledge society: Critical issues.

Sport coaching is a universal practice that supports athletes and athlete performance at all levels and in all domains. This chapter explores the notion that coach development has a global dimension, using the concept of a knowledge society as a foundational device. Having examined the meaning, characteristics and implications of globalisation and a knowledge society, the chapter evaluates the contribution of a number of prominent organisations and agencies with a coach development remit for their global reach. The contribution of these agencies is explored in relation to a loose framework comprising production of coaching knowledge, mechanisms of dissemination, expertise, credentialism and education. There is an absence of any regulatory mechanisms for post-experience coach development. Nevertheless, the conclusions drawn reinforce the assumption of a global dimension to coach development, mitigated by historical, cultural and political identity and strongly influenced by a North American-Eurocentric academic community.