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Coach training leaves gaps in addressing girls' and women's needs in sport
Confirmed
In Short: National Coaches Day on October 6 recognizes the impact of high school football coaches, but a new survey highlights gaps in addressing girls' and women's needs.
President Richard Nixon first declared October 6 as National Coaches Day in 1972, recognizing the influence coaches have on young people.
The survey conducted by researchers in Norway and Sweden found that coaches consider topics like growth and development, puberty, and menstruation crucial.
However, the study revealed a significant lack of knowledge among coaches about issues and needs specific to girls and women in sports.
According to the survey, coaches who fostered open and trusting relationships with their athletes were better able to address their needs.
The researchers emphasized that coaches do not need to be experts but must listen and build trust with their athletes.
"Listening to the athletes’ needs and building the trust that enabled them to speak up was the most important thing of all," said researcher Ausland.
High School Football America acknowledges the dedication of coaches on National Coaches Day, thanking them for their contributions beyond just the game.
Despite the recognition, the survey underscores the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by female athletes in sports coaching.
What this adds
The survey highlights the need for better training and awareness among coaches regarding the specific needs of female athletes.
What's confirmed
- President Richard Nixon first declared October 6 as National Coaches Day in 1972, recognizing the influence coaches have on young people.
- The survey conducted by researchers in Norway and Sweden found that coaches consider topics like growth and development, puberty, and menstruation crucial.
- However, the study revealed a significant lack of knowledge among coaches about issues and needs specific to girls and women in sports.
- According to the survey, coaches who fostered open and trusting relationships with their athletes were better able to address their needs.
- The researchers emphasized that coaches do not need to be experts but must listen and build trust with their athletes.
- "Listening to the athletes’ needs and building the trust that enabled them to speak up was the most important thing of all," said researcher Ausland.
- High School Football America acknowledges the dedication of coaches on National Coaches Day, thanking them for their contributions beyond just the game.
- Despite the recognition, the survey underscores the importance of addressing the unique challenges faced by female athletes in sports coaching.
What's still developing
- Since High School Football America began covering the sport in 2004, and me personally in 1974, we’ve had the opportunity to talk with coaches from every corner of the country.
- It might be something a coach said after a difficult loss.
- Nixon noted that coaches teach young people the value of teamwork and discipline, while helping them understand how to handle both winning and losing.
- For high school football players, a coach is often a teacher, mentor, motivator, counselor and role model.
- Behind every successful program are coaches arriving at school early and leaving long after the sun goes down.
- More than five decades later, the words behind that proclamation still perfectly describe the importance of high school football coaches.
- But anyone who has spent time around high school football knows that the sport is about much more than what appears on a scoreboard.
- He also recognized something that remains at the heart of coaching today: the influence of a great coach can extend far beyond athletics.
- Today is National Coaches Day, and at High School Football America, we want to say two simple words to the thousands of men and women who give their time, energy and passion to high school football—tackle and flag—across America: Every October 6, National Coaches Day recognizes the people who do much more than draw up plays, organize practices and make decisions on Friday nights.
- What they had in common was that they had an open and trusting relationship with their coach.