Never the twain shall meet? Ethnography of being both academic and private consultant within a professional football internship programme. Challenges and possibilities. ESDN Conference Edgehill University Robert Kielty - Glasgow Caledonian University Keith Laikowski – Glasgow University Katrina Gibbon – Glasgow School of Sport

Objectives Relationship between commercial and academic practice Problematising internships Challenges

Background Consultant Youth Academy Sports Science and Physical Education 6 Professional Youth squads Recruitment Budget Testing profile CSR and school engagement Academic GCU UG + PG PhD CPD with NGB (Scottish FA)

Complimentary? Consultant Results Value for money Club interests come first Football tag can stick Financial not political decision making Academic Research output Reputation Aligning with Dean’s vision… Risk assessment (social media; conflict) Bureaucracy and lag

Ethnography Examples Sparkes (1992, 1995, 2009) more than the visual Jones (2009, 2003) – Coach perceptions at elite level (football) Harris (2009) - women’s football experiences (university) Woodward (2002) – understanding identity Critical analysis Recognising possible subjectivity The researcher’s role in process ‘Description of direct experiences have now superseded the creation of theories’

Setting Actors Technical level 4 coaches Academy manager Former international players Interns Parents SDO’s Players Stage Training area Changing rooms In service workshops Staff nights out SFL games Car journey home Personal notes Semi structured interviews 3 year data collection period

FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN Club staff on concept how much will this cost? we have no staff - do we need this pish? cant you just sign the form? Fucking sport science shite Fucking college boys This is the last thing the club need (some) coaches on delivery Right boys listen now to this nonsense Fiona is going to do her girlie thing now Sport scientists couldn’t trap a beach ball in a phone box Any medals??

Swimming against the tide Parents on programme Structured and challenging At last, professionalism has arrived at EEP Should have happened years ago My son has a focus now Its your bag, I wont interfere (technical) coaches take note Players on programme I’m nervous on a Monday because of the intensity Love it –especially seeing the results pinned up My mum has a new cooking book

Evolution Global perception of club Autonomy – how can we grow it for next year Part of the furniture – trusting, enthusiastic and above all reliable CSR – Yes, you could use the stadium for your conference Perceptions of new interns This will really improve my CV Parents and coaches are supportive Manchester was an incredible experience

Problematising Internships BASES consensus statement implications Football clubs know that interns will work for free and there is a waiting list… Lack of governing body direction Whilst very valuable, internship models are down the food chain Making it up as you go along… Is it volunteering ?

Problematising football Little research in this area ‘Where are the examples from industry’ Houlahan (2011) Evidence based practices in (Scottish) football are scarce Commercial football is far removed from state intervention (and benefits)

Challenges Keeping everyone and everything happy Resourcing and adding value Models of partnership Increasing the internship experience

Thank you