Performance Appraisal Criteria of Coaches According to the Age Group of the Athletes and the Level of Sports Competition

Abstract

The purpose of our study was to analyse how coach performance appraisal frequency and criteria vary according to the age group of the athletes and the level of sports competition. To that end we surveyed a sample of 223 coaches of voluntary sports clubs in Madeira, Portugal, using an individual and anonymous questionnaire. Although in general coach performance appraisal was not treated as a systematic and structured process by the sports clubs, we did find significant differences between coaches of young athletes and coaches of adults, and between coaches at the regional level and coaches at the national/international level, with respect to the importance of sports results as a coach evaluation criterion. The study suggests applying structured practices in coach performance appraisal and a different approach to assessment according to the age group and specific context of the competition.