As the “silver economy” continues to have a growing impact on the labour market and whole society, increasing attention is being paid to retaining experienced professionals in their existing roles. The Silver Coaches project explores this issue in the context of older sports coaches and officials.
The main objective is to understand the factors that lead people aged 60 and over to withdraw from professional and social activities in sport – and to develop solutions that will help to make full use of their potential. The project is aimed both at coaches, sports officials and board members aged 60 and over, and at European sports clubs, which often lose experienced staff without fully understanding why.
To investigate the issue in depth, a comprehensive survey was conducted in June and July 2026. It involved 119 coaches, referees and board members aged 60 and over from four European countries: Finland, Spain, Poland and Slovenia. The research methodology was based on an adapted version of the Workers’ Retirement Motivations Inventory, which examines retirement decisions through a theory that views our professional situation as the result of opposing forces.
In this case, the study examined and measured four main areas: the factors pushing coaches out of the sports labour market, the attractions of a peaceful retirement, the strength of their personal commitment to their current roles – and the concerns they have about stepping away. The researchers also investigated twelve specific barriers that can make day-to-day work more difficult.
The findings clearly show that the strongest factor to keep coaches involved in sport is their deep-rooted personal commitment to what they do. This outweighs all the other factors measured by the study. Interestingly, contrary to common assumptions, declining health and concerns about lower income are not the main reasons prompting them to leave. The prospect of losing financial security was, in fact, the least frequently reported barrier among all the issues analysed. The biggest competitor for sports clubs is simply the prospect of having more free time, pursuing long-postponed interests, travelling and gaining control over their lives after retirement.
However, one of the real reasons that sports organisations lose experienced staff prematurely is often loneliness. Coaches who feel isolated from people in their own age group – because they are the only older person on the team, or because the club has made no effort to bring older employees together – are much more likely to consider leaving. When they have peers around them, their desire to step away decreases significantly.
The researchers also identified a striking paradox in the survey responses. Although many respondents believe that ageing bodies and physical limitations are major obstacles for their peers, they rarely report that health problems actually hinder their own day-to-day work. Other common challenges include difficulties in keeping up with new technologies and harmful stereotypes that describe older employees as less innovative. This suggests that sports clubs often have to contend with misconceptions about ageing, rather than the actual difficulties faced by their staff.
The most important conclusion from the research is that ensuring coaches are satisfied with their working conditions does not necessarily mean they will stay. Satisfaction with the working environment is one thing: the desire to rest and enjoy retirement is another. Rather than trying to compete with the attractions of retirement by offering more money, organisations should introduce a number of simple changes that require little or no financial investment, such as:
- Building a community
Feelings of isolation are a major threat to engagement. Clubs should start with the basics by making sure older employees that they are included in the organisation and do not become marginalised. Creating opportunities for them to connect with people of a similar age can significantly improve their situation and encourage them to remain involved.
- Showing appreciation every day
Many coaches have a strong emotional attachment to their clubs, but they often lack a sense that their work receives the recognition it deserves. Showing respect, acknowledging their contribution and genuinely taking their views are among the least expensive and most effective ways to reward experienced professionals.
- Greater flexibility
Since experienced employees value their free time highly, clubs should avoid imposing rigid and demanding schedules on them. Greater flexibility allows coaches to manage their personal lives more easily and reduces the pressure to attend every single event or training session.
- New roles and challenges
Instead of assuming that older age and physical limitations are insurmountable barriers, clubs should listen to the people concerned and offer them new opportunities to develop. Experienced coaches can be excellent mentors and advisers for younger colleagues, section coordinators or board members. These roles allow them to continue pursuing their passion in a less demanding environment that better reflects their current needs.
The withdrawal of the oldest coaches from sporting life is not inevitable. Based on the findings of the study, plans are now underway to develop specialised training materials, including a comprehensive guide, for both sports clubs and coaches themselves. In the future, these resources are intended to provide a solid foundation for a broader system designed to retain silver coaches in the sports labour market, ensuring that the sporting community can make full use of the knowledge and expertise they have accumulated over decades.
We encourage sports officials, coaches and club representatives to follow the latest news and updates from the Silver Coaches project. In the coming months, further reports, practical tools and guides will be published to help organisations implement intergenerational solutions in their local sporting communities.
Following the project’s progress is an opportunity to stay informed, get involved in this important European initiative and help shape the future of sport – one in which years of experience become a key asset for the success of the entire organisation.
