Coaching: Nurturing and maintaining relationships with stakeholders crucial in 'political activity'

Not all players will buy into what you’re about as a coach. Those that don’t can be seen to feign injury or have an acute degree of absenteeism.

Rarely, if ever, do you hear the concept that coaching is a ‘political activity’, writes Peter McNamara.

However, that is exactly the opinion of Paul Potrac, Professor in Sports Coaching at Edge Hill University, Ormskirk in the UK.