Manitoba Midget Triple A Hockey coaches' environment : coaches' perspectives

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative interpretive analysis with Manitoba Midget Triple A Hockey Coaches was to gain their perspectives regarding Midget Triple A team dynamics. Seven former or current Midget Triple A hockey coaches who met the research criteria volunteered for the one-with-one interview whereby topics regarding communication with players, opposition coaches, officials, organization, and league representatives and codes of conduct were explored. Sub-categories to emerge from these interviews include conveying a positive and negative message via verbal and nonverbal indicators, unwritten rules of team dynamics, player leadership, dressing room dynamics, and instances of disempowerment. The information garnered from this dialogue was then discussed within a framework of current abuse, harassment and masculine culture literature whereby a symbiotic relationship of the sport environment and Masculinization is discussed.