GREEK SOCCER COACHES’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS INCLUSION OF YOUNG ATHLETES WITH DISABILITIES

Georgios Loules, Argyrios Christakis, Charalampos Krommidas, Dimitrios Kokaridas, Evangelos Tzachristos

Abstract


The purpose of the present study was to examine possible differences on soccer coaches’ attitudes towards the inclusion of young athletes with disabilities due to gender, age group, coaching experience, coaching diploma, and educational background. Thus, 285 Greek soccer coaches (248 males, 37 females), aged 21 to 74 years old (Mage: 41.89 ± 10.16 years) voluntarily participated in the present study. The Greek version of Teacher Integration Attitudes Questionnaire (TIAQ; Sideridis & Chandler, 1997) was delivered to them online. The results showed that more than half of the soccer coaches reported that they do not have the knowledge or that it is not applicable to cope with the instructional needs of children with disabilities such as orthopedic disabilities (62.8%), multiple disabilities (59.4%), and intellectual disability (61.1%). In contrast, more than half of the soccer coaches reported that they have the knowledge to cope with the instructional needs of children with disabilities such as behavioral disorders (67.4%), and learning difficulties (77.2%). No significant differences (p > .05) emerged on soccer coaches’ attitudes towards inclusion sub-scales (skills, benefits, acceptance, support) due to gender, age group, coaching experience, coaching diploma, and educational background. It is recommended to soccer coaches, especially those who train young people with disabilities, to expand their knowledge in the field of adapted physical education in order to feel more confident and qualified to train their young athletes.

 

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soccer, coach, attitudes, inclusion, athletes, disability

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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.46827/ejpe.v9i5.4744

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