Voices Behind the Victories: Unveiling the Hidden Struggles and Resilience of Successful Sports Coaches in Tacloban City
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20398308Keywords:
sports coaching, lived experiences, transcendental phenomenology, coping mechanisms, athletic success, financial sacrifice, teacher-coaches, qualitative research, institutional support, Tacloban CityAbstract
This qualitative study utilized a transcendental phenomenological design to explore the lived experiences of eight successful sports coaches in Tacloban City who have produced medalists in regional and national competitions. Data gathered through semi-structured interviews and analyzed through thematic analysis revealed that coaching success is built upon significant hidden struggles, including personal financial sacrifices, physical burnout, and the emotional labor of hiding professional pressure. To navigate these challenges, coaches employ adaptive coping mechanisms such as drawing strength from intrinsic passion, practicing extreme resourcefulness, and fostering team unity. The results further indicated that while administrative and community support are vital to winning performances, there remains a critical gap in institutionalized incentives and modern facilities. The study concludes that coaching excellence in the local context is sustained primarily through the high resilience and personal sacrifices of the coaches rather than strong systematic support. Ultimately, the findings suggest that the current "double burden" of balancing teaching and coaching is unsustainable without meaningful policy reforms. To ensure the long-term vitality of sports programs, it is essential for the City Government of Tacloban and the Department of Education to shift focus from merely celebrating victories to providing structured financial aid, better infrastructure, and professional development for sports coaches. Strengthening these support systems is necessary not only for the well-being of the coaches but also for the holistic growth and continued success of student-athletes in the region.
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