Fostering Quality Participation in Parasport: Athlete Experiences and the Development of an Athlete- and Disability-Informed Coach Education Workshop

PhD in Educational Studies candidate: Ueli Albert

27 August 2026

4:00 PM Atlantic

Join: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/27946686904608?p=yv1uqW7mMvEbY9g5Ek
Meeting ID: 279 466 869 046 08
Passcode: c3pG9ZH9

Thesis Committee:

Dr. Emily Bremer, Supervisor
Dr. Dan Robinson, St.FX, Committee Member
Dr. Antony Card, MSVU, Committee Member
Dr. Robert Townsend, University of Waikato, External Examiner
Dr. Dawn Ryan, Chair of the defence

Abstract

Opportunities for meaningful sport participation remain limited for many individuals with physical disabilities, and access to disability-informed coach education continues to be inconsistent across sport systems. Coaches play a central role in shaping athletes’ experiences, yet little is known about the quality of parasport participation within local contexts or how coach education can support coaches in fostering high-quality sport experiences. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the quality of parasport participation among athletes with a physical disability living in Nova Scotia and to examine the effectiveness of a parasport coach education workshop designed to support coaches in fostering quality participation experiences.

This dissertation consists of two mixed-methods studies. Study 1 explored the experiential aspects of parasport participation among adult athletes with a physical disability in Nova Scotia using the Measure of Experiential Aspects of Participation (MeEAP). The survey assessed six experiential building blocks of quality participation and included open-ended questions examining how coaches can foster meaningful sport experiences. Findings indicated relatively high levels of perceived quality participation among athletes. Qualitative responses highlighted several coaching practices that supported quality participation, including individualized coaching approaches, fostering social connection, and adapting training environments. However, the results also suggested deficiencies in coaching practices, indicating opportunities for enhanced coach education and support.

Study 2 involved the development, implementation, and evaluation of two one-day parasport coach education workshop designed to enhance coaches’ ability to foster quality participation. The workshops were informed by findings from Study 1 and the Blueprint for Building Quality Participation in Sport for Children, Youth, and Adults with a Disability. Coaches completed pre-, post and follow-up workshop surveys, including the Coaching Efficacy Scale (CES) and measures assessing capability, opportunity, and motivation (COM-B) related to fostering quality participation. Results indicated a statistically significant increase in coaching self-efficacy, knowledge and cognitive capacity following the workshop, with a large effect size, alongside small to medium improvements across all COM-B domains.

Together, these findings contribute to a growing body of research focused on quality sport participation for athletes with physical disabilities. This dissertation provides insight into the parasport landscape in Nova Scotia and demonstrates the potential value of targeted coach education initiatives. The findings offer practical guidance for coach developers, sport organizations, and educators seeking to foster quality sport experiences for athletes with physical disabilities.

About Ueli…

Ueli Albert is a PhD student, university instructor, researcher, coach educator, and lifelong advocate for inclusive sport. Originally from Switzerland, where he competed on the national athletics team in the 800 metres, he moved to Canada in 2004 to pursue a degree in Kinesiology at Dalhousie University.

While completing his undergraduate studies, an athlete with a physical disability approached Ueli for help preparing for the Bluenose Marathon. What began as a single coaching opportunity quickly evolved into a lifelong passion for parasport. He went on to establish Nova Scotia's first Para Athletics program and spent nearly a decade coaching with the Canadian Para Athletics National Team, supporting athletes at multiple Paralympic Games and World Championships.

Over the past 20 years, Ueli has dedicated his career to creating meaningful and high-quality sport experiences for athletes with physical disabilities. Since 2022, he has been pursuing a PhD in Education at Acadia University under the supervision of Dr. Emily Bremer. His research focuses on how coaches can foster quality participation for athletes with physical disabilities in Nova Scotia.