Development and validation of a core competency framework for professional tennis coaches in China

Core Competency is a foundational element in helping professional tennis coaches in China adapt to professionalization. Using Core Competency as the conceptual basis, this study adopted an exploratory sequential mixed-methods design. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 18 coaches, and relevant literature, policy documents, and industry materials were integrated. An initial Core Competency model was developed through three-stage coding. In the quantitative phase, item screening was conducted using item analysis and exploratory factor analysis based on 185 valid pretest responses. The measurement and higher-order structures of the initial model were then validated using 500 valid responses from the main survey. This process produced a Core Competency model comprising five dimensions and 17 categories: Situational Judgment competencies, Professional Integration competencies, Digital-Oriented Coordination competencies, Growth Orientation qualities, and Humanistic Guidance qualities. The findings provide specific practical implications for the management and professional development of professional tennis coaches. At the certification level, assessments of decision-making and professional integration skills should extend beyond theoretical examinations to include practice-based evaluations, enabling a more comprehensive appraisal of coaches' practical coaching capabilities. At the training level, digital coordination skills and growth orientation qualities may be incorporated into training programmes to facilitate a shift from technical skill instruction towards the holistic development of core competence. Regarding international applications, the contextual embeddedness of humanistic guidance qualities should be carefully considered to enhance the framework's contextual fit and practical applicability across different cultural settings.