A realist framework analysis of rugby academy managers’ duties and roles: the ABCs and Ds of Talent Development (Attitudes, Behaviours, Challenges, and Development needs)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the professional duties of Academy Managers in professional Rugby League. The aim was to explore the knowledge and application of best practice concepts as well as identifying potential gaps in provision and related development needs. The TD Helix (Wilkinson and Grecic, 2020) provided the realist context by which to explore
AM’s attitudes, behaviours and challenges when operating in this domain. Data were collected and analysed against this theoretical framework. Framework Analysis (FA) of the data found that the professional duties allocated to the AMs within the TD landscape were grouped into the following four areas: developing and maintaining a positive culture; implementing a
holistic TD environment; supporting staff development and learning; managing up and down the pathway. The key agents to enable AMs’ success in performing these duties were their high-performance coaches. Additionally, in line with the FA method, typologies were created to describe the diverse roles that AMs perform. The roles were: Cultural Architect, Succession
Planner, Life Coach Mentor, Sports Craft Teacher, and Character Builder. The paper concludes by highlighting the AMs’ developmental needs and how bespoke support is essential if they are to successfully overcome the multiple challenges they face whilst performing their professional duties.