Combining crystallisation and creative non-fiction to develop new insights on the politically astute use of humour in sports coaching 

Christian Nicholas Edwards*, Paul Potrac

*Awdur cyfatebol y gwaith hwn

Allbwn ymchwil: Cyfraniad at gyfnodolynErthygladolygiad gan gymheiriaid

Crynodeb

Through adopting a crystallisation approach, this paper provides original insights into the ways in which players and coaches used humour to astutely navigate the everyday challenges and opportunities of organisational life at Senghenydd City Football Club (pseudonym). Specifically, we revisited and re-analysed a previously existing ethnographic data set that focused on the use of humour in a semi-professional football club. Our analytical efforts were inspired by Ellingson’s (2009) four stage typology of ‘crystallisation’. This allowed us to generate new insights and different interpretations of a particular phenomenon (i.e. humour). Complementary dramaturgical and micropolitical concepts regarding the presentation of the self, protective and defensive acts, and the management of emotion, were employed to facilitate the iterative analysis that was undertaken. The findings are presented through creative non-fiction in the format of composite vignettes. The composite vignettes illustrate how humour was variously used as a defensive (for the self) and protective (for the other) strategy for dealing with numerous interactive challenges in the workplace, as well as how emotion such as embarrassment, anger, and frustration were inextricable features of these interactions. The paper concludes with a reflexive discussion on a) the social-cultural role of humour and the need for sport coaches, athletes, sports administrators to be more aware of how they develop, advance and deploy their social competencies (e.g. humour) to juggle the demands of their job; and b) the utility of using composite vignettes as a valuable means for critical reflection on the interactive and micropolitically challenging features of coaching practice.

Iaith wreiddiolSaesneg
Tudalennau (o-i)1-15
Nifer y tudalennau15
CyfnodolynQualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health
Dynodwyr Gwrthrych Digidol (DOIs)
StatwsCyhoeddwyd - 3 Hyd 2024

Dyfynnu hyn