Optimising onboarding for success: recommendations for sporting directors

Murray, A, Parnell, D and Batey, M ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9818-7525 (2025) Optimising onboarding for success: recommendations for sporting directors. Managing Sport and Leisure. pp. 1-18. ISSN 2375-0472

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Abstract

Purpose: Exploration of the factors that contribute to effective onboarding processes for team sport players. Methodology: A convenience sample of elite invasion team sport players (n = 8) participated in semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic data analysis, after ensuring saturation. Findings: The research identified major areas of “player,” “organisation” and “liminality” with subsequent sub-themes. It emphasised the importance of players as both an individual and as part of a team, the organisational expectations and support of them and the reciprocal influence of each of these parties on each other in optimising the integration of players into a new organisation via an interim “liminal” space between being “out” and “in” the organisation. Practical Implications: Nine simple practical steps for Sporting Directors to consider for player onboarding are provided, to support the period before the player joins the organisation, through to the transitional period and finally how best to provide ongoing support after they have joined. Research Contribution: The emergent importance of relationships and how the building of trust can underpin success in sports. Value: Sporting Directors are provided with recommendations for how to set up players for success through optimisation of the onboarding process that can directly impact sporting and subsequent business/financial success.