Design Thinking: Innovative Knowledge Co-Creation in Coaching for Para Sport

OpenAlex English

The increasing participation in Para sport has created a demand for more qualified coaches, yet their development mainly depends on informal and experiential methods due to limited formal opportunities. Effective collaboration between sports organizations and governmental bodies is crucial to developing comprehensive coach development opportunities tailored to the specific needs of Para sports. Design Thinking offers a viable solution to bridge existing gaps by fostering innovative, human-centered approaches that lead to the development of solutions tailored to the evolving demands of Para sport coaching. The purpose of this study was to introduce and propose the utilization of Design Thinking to enhance coach development opportunities in Para sport, illustrated through a comprehensive analysis of a 2-day design challenge event based on the Hasso-Plattner Institute Model. The event brought together a varied group of stakeholders, including managers, coaches, coach developers, and athletes. Design Thinking, with its focus on empathy, iterative problem-solving, and collaboration, was instrumental in helping participants move beyond their individual biases. The study provided actionable strategies for implementing Design Thinking in the context of Para sports, contributing to improving the overall Para sport experience.