There’s a Coach in All of Us
Coaching for Belonging
Think about the moments in your childhood where you felt like you truly belonged. The times when you not only felt at home in your own mind and body, but in your environment and the relationships with those around you.
You felt safe and free from judgement, stigma or shame. You could test your limits and challenge yourself to try something new. And you felt empowered to express yourself and set your own course in life.
Chances are that in each of these moments, a caring adult—a teacher, parent, coach, family or community member—acknowledged you, empowered you and supported you to realise your full potential. And now that you're an adult, you have an opportunity to create a future of sport where every kid gets to experience that feeling of belonging—even if you've never coached a day in your life.
Every kid has a unique set of experiences, backgrounds, identities and interests—which is one of the most exciting and sometimes challenging parts of being a coach. From physical ability, to religious and cultural beliefs, to gender identity, every kid who comes into training is bringing their whole selves. We believe one of our most important responsibilities as coaches is to make sure every kid finds belonging in sport, and ensure they don't need to deny, hide or be ashamed of any part of themselves.
"Belonging for me is just having a place where you feel safe, accepted and where you can be yourself. There's no judgement about who you are, what you do and where you come from. Inclusion is where people feel comfortable and can acknowledge differences, but belonging is that next level."
Jean Hansen
Vice President, School Partnerships and Youth Outreach at Special Olympics Oregon
"These ages are a key part of development. Kids feel the need to gain independence from their parents and often spend more time with their teammates. It's important that coaches create scenarios where kids feel comfortable. I see football as a laboratory-esque experience where kids can prove themselves out of their comfort zones."
Roberto de Paz
Coach, Proyecto Cantera Juntos por México AC
When kids belong, they can be their full selves in training and in everyday life, which sets them up to thrive in childhood and beyond. The result is a generation of empathetic and welcoming kids who not only feel comfortable in their own bodies, but have a positive association with play, movement and sport.
For kids, ages 7–12 are a uniquely powerful time to feel belonging. "They are becoming more independent, and relationships with their peers start to be more prominent", says Diana Cutaia, founder of Coaching Peace. "They are more aware of how others treat them and include them. They begin to understand the world not just through their parents or caregivers, but their peers".
For kids to unlock their full potential during this exciting time in their lives, adults have to be invested in giving kids agency and safety so they can lead their own exploration and discovery in a fun, positive environment. Building belonging is more than being part of a team; it's about changing a kid's world by fostering growth and emotional safety.
Play, movement and sport are ideal spaces for belonging to flourish, and coaching is a rewarding way to make it happen. The world will always need caring coaches—adults who are passionate about helping kids grow, can provide a stable and nurturing relationship, and take the responsibility of mentorship seriously—to help every kid move and play freely and safely. Coaches are the number one reason kids stay in sports, and a positive experience with a coach can set them on a path of lifelong play.
There's a coach in all of us.
Learn more about how to empower girls in your community.