Fully-funded PhD Studentship: Developing Inclusive Coaching and Coach Education
in New Zealand
University of Waikato – Te Huataki Waiora School of Health
Te Huataki Waiora School of Health is offering a fully-funded studentship with an annual
stipend of $35,000 NZD plus tuition fees, for a maximum of 36 months.
Start date: October 2022.
Closing: August 2022.
Te Huataki Waiora School of Health at the University of Waikato is building a reputation as the
national leader for research into disability sport. Sport New Zealand’s Disability Plan represents
a commitment to improving the wellbeing of disabled New Zealanders by addressing
inequalities in play, active recreation and sport. The Disability Plan reinforces that disabled
people have a right to choose to participate in sport and active recreation, and outlines the
need for equitable access, consistent delivery and accessible programmes.
This research programme was developed through partnership between Sport New Zealand the
University of Waikato. The partnership was developed to broadly capture and respond to the
priorities of the sector and Sport New Zealand, while making an enduring contribution to
scholarship in disability sport. Candidates are expected to demonstrate an understanding of
disability sport and active recreation in New Zealand as well as a commitment to partnership
within the disability sport sector.
Join us for this unique opportunity to make a positive difference to the lives of disabled people.
We are looking for an exceptional candidate to contribute to a vibrant research community,
be active in supporting teaching and learning opportunities across the school and engage in
knowledge translation activities with community partners.
PROJECT BRIEF
Coaches play a crucial role in supporting disabled peoples’ access to and engagement in highquality sporting experiences. In 2018 an independent review into the disability sport and active
recreation sector outlined the need to upskill coaches to deliver better opportunities for
disabled people. The review highlighted that an important mechanism for improving coaches’
capability for inclusion is the delivery of optimal professional development (e.g., coach
education) to support practitioners.
This collaborative action research project will focus on providing an evidence base that assists
in shaping the delivery of disability coach education in New Zealand. The purpose of this project
is to develop a framework for implementing a disability-specific coach education programme
and associated resources across the disability sport sector, ensuring that disability is infused
into the culture of coach education in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The specific aims of this programme of research are: 1) assess the current standard of coach
learning and development opportunities related to disability; 2) identify the education and
support needs of coaches operating across a number of disability contexts, including working
with participants with physical, intellectual and sensory impairments; 3) determine effective
methods for supporting coaches’ learning in relation to disability and inclusive practice.
More details from : https://www.waikato.ac.nz/scholarships/Research-Project-Funding
