Exploring the Utility of a Global Coaching Framework: Sociocultural Perspectives From Japanese Secondary School Rugby Coaches

Abstract

Having investigated the history of rugby over the last century in Japan, a study reported that, historically, rugby participation has been underpinned by the quest to develop young males’ character. The traditional Japanese view of rugby as a medium for education and dominant cultural values has also been considered to be a contrasting view to the Westernised professional perspectives of rugby as a form of entertainment. With a focus on the role of rugby in the school-based club experience, this article presents hermeneutic interpretations of conversations held with four Japanese secondary school rugby coaches and four players, and it explores the socioculturally relevant notion of kimochi (気持ち; feeling/attitude/vitality) in players’ corporeal experiences. Furthermore, the ways in which kimochi is described by the coaches as a means to cultivate kokoro (mind/heart/spirit) and prepare players for adult life are investigated. The extent to which this idea emerged from the participants’ comments is offered as an important consideration for the International Coach Development Framework and the International Sport Coaching Framework, and we posit that the exploration of inherent sociocultural discourses must be carefully contemplated if the future conceptualisation, interpretation and utility of such frameworks is to be enduring.