The Professional Coaches of Finland (SAVAL) collected writings of psychological violence experienced by professional coaches through an open call for narrative stories. Between May 9 and August 31, 2025, 33 coaches shared their personal stories through the National Data Service. We sincerely thank all the coaches who participated in the study. While the research analysis is still in its early stages, SAVAL is now releasing preliminary observations based on the collected data.

Preliminary Results on the Perpetuators of Psychological Violence

Coaches report inappropriate behaviour from people in managerial roles, including poor leadership skills and misuse of organisational authority. They also write about unequal treatment within the workplace, such as withholding work-related information. Coaches write about experiences of unfair employers' treatment regarding their work and professional competence. Furthermore, coaches express constant feelings of being undervalued as professionals.

Secondly, coaches highlight negative experiences stemming from the employer policies and leadership culture. The responses reveal that decisions made by board members are often based on personal motives, without considering their influence on coaches’ professional work. Coaches report feelings of a hostile atmosphere in board meetings, where the coaches are targeted and blamed for undone tasks outside their job descriptions. Furthermore, coaches’ suggestions for improving operational practices are frequently ignored, while current leadership styles are increasing coaches' workload.

A third theme emerging from the data is inappropriate behaviour toward coaches from athletes’ parents or guardians. Coaches describe guardians interfering with coaching by negatively commenting on training sessions, spreading false information about coaches to other guardians or board members, and publicly criticising coaches’ professional skills. The blackmail attempts have led to defamation and unwarranted warnings.

Further Analysis and Potential Readings

The study indicates that coaches who report their experience of psychological violence have been ignored. Contacting various sports organisations about the harmful work situations has not led to any action to get support. The stories reveal a culture of silence and ignorance, described as the norm in sports policies and governance. Additionally, coaches write about the fear of reporting negative phenomena due to concerns about losing their jobs or worsening the situation.

“Previous studies have identified occupational precarity and coaches’ ill-being caused by inefficient employer leadership skills and unclear governance. This research confirms earlier findings of serious deficiencies in management and leadership skills. It provides new insights from the current work culture surrounded by fear, belittlement, and a lack of appreciation towards coaches’ work. Through deeper analysis, we can investigate how psychological violence could be avoided. Furthermore, the study can shed light on a better understanding of how coaches could have support in daily working situations,” summarises researcher Sanna Erdoğan.

SAVAL’s Executive Director Raino Nieminen considers the study a necessary starting point for improving the working conditions of professional coaches:

“SAVAL has engaged in both individual and collective advocacy. Typically, we support our members with employment-related issues, and increasingly with concerns related to workload and well-being at work. The preliminary results of this study highlight the importance of discussing the coaches' workplace atmosphere. Moreover, it is essential to develop ways to intervene in harassment directed at coaches. Finally, it is important to create policies to prevent unnecessary psychosocial strain in coaches' work,” says Nieminen.

Proceeding the Research

The research data will be analysed throughout 2025, and the results will be presented at seminars and conferences. Based on the study, scientific articles will be published, including one in an anthology on psychological violence to be released in 2027 in Finnish. SAVAL is looking forward to international collaboration to further studies in this area.

Any questions about the study can be addressed to:

Sanna Erdoğan
sanna.erdogan@saval.fi

Researcher and national trustee of SAVAL