Student-Athletes’ Perceptions of Coaches’ Coaching Competency in Kenyan Universities: The Case of Kenyatta University

Abstract

Coaching competency is essential in sports, encompassing the skills, knowledge, and abilities coaches need to support athletes’ technical, cognitive, strategic, and psychosocial development. Understanding how athletes evaluate their coaches is important for improving coaching practices and enhancing overall performance. This study explored student-athletes’ perceptions of coaching competency at Kenyatta University, specifically assessing perceived competency levels among athletes in individual sports (Taekwondo and Swimming) and team sports (Soccer and Volleyball). It also examined differences in perceptions based on sport type and gender. An analytical cross-sectional design was used, involving 150 student-athletes who completed a self-administered questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Results showed that female athletes rated their coaches higher in game strategy and motivation, while male athletes rated their coaches higher in technique and character building. Athletes in individual sports generally rated their coaches higher across all competency domains than those in team sports. However, no significant differences were found based on gender. The study recommends expanding research to include athletes from other universities and examining additional variables such as duration of participation, coach athlete gender dynamics, and athletes' team roles to better understand their influence on coaching competency perceptions.