The Moral Ambiguity of Coaching Youth Sport

This chapter develops a strong critique of the role of the coach in competitive children&s;s sport. The critique is orientated around the claim that the intrinsic nature of competitive sport involves the morally problematic aim of attempting to win over others . Russell argues that regardless of what kind of interpretation is given about the value of sport, competition cannot be separated from the aim to be better and dominate others. From this, he claims, the viciousness of ‘jealousy of emulation’ emerges as a flawed moral character of sport itself, which can, unless carefully mediated by coaches, be transformed into a dark personal ambition that dominates all others. While remaining fairly pessimistic about the coach&s;s chances, he advocates a conception of sport that encourages children and coaches to pursue what he presents as absolute rather than relative standards of perfection in sport.