How to create positive team environment
Use these tips to help create a positive team environment, one where athletes can do their best, and where abuse and bad behaviour are never accepted.
☐ Explain your behaviour rules to athletes early on — and to parents or guardians, if the athlete is a minor. Make sure your rules match the athlete's age and stage of growth. Give examples of good behaviour you want to see, and also explain bad behaviour and what happens if it occurs.
☐ Show respectful and appropriate behaviour yourself, with athletes, parents, officials, and other coaches. Never use slurs or other hurtful language when talking to, or about, other people.
☐ Create a space that welcomes athletes from every background. For example, ask each athlete how to say their name correctly. Encourage athletes to respect each other's cultures and identities.
☐ Think about each athlete's age and stage of growth when you speak to them. Using clear, simple language helps everyone understand you better.
☐ Pay close attention to athletes' safety needs. Athletes from marginalised groups or regions (groups often treated unfairly) face a higher risk of abuse, bullying, and harassment.
☐ Remind athletes that winning is only one part of sport. Their personal growth and well-being matter too.
☐ Keep communication open with athletes and their parents or guardians. Ask them for feedback on how you communicate and coach. Give athletes more than one way to share their concerns.
☐ Talk often about your team's core values, expectations, and rules. Be consistent — hold everyone responsible for following them, every time.
☐ Respond to bad behaviour right away, every time it happens.
☐ Talk to athletes about bystander intervention — saying or doing something when you see abuse happening, instead of staying silent. Show this behaviour yourself. Use the Talking with Athletes About Bystander Intervention to help your athletes learn and practice these skills.