March 2024 - Parks and Recreation - 37

The U.S. Soccer Foundation hosts
coach-mentor training for the Houston
Parks and Recreation Department.
Clear, empathetic feedback helps
participants focus on areas for improvement
while celebrating successes.
" Positive support does not entail
aimless positivity, but detailed, specific
encouragement that helps athletes
develop skills. The more supported
a player feels, the more likely
they are to take risks...try new skills
and be receptive to constructive feedback, "
notes Sacks. Having empathy
also helps coaches prioritize wellbeing
over athletic performance. For
example, empathetic coaches recognize
that a young person's behaviors,
actions, attitudes and performance
on the court may be influenced by
challenges and life experiences they
are navigating off the court.
Okamoto agrees that relationships
are key to successful coaching. " The
ability to make positive connections
with youth, navigate challenging
behaviors with empathy and be intentional
about relationship building
throughout a season allow[s] coaches
to build trust and more investment
from the youth participants, " she
shares. Okamoto's comment echoes
the U.S. Soccer Foundation's approach
to the coaching relationship,
which is grounded in the notion that
coaches serve as mentors, influential
figures responsible for creating a safe,
inclusive sports experience.
Establishing Training Norms
" A coach who has training in youth
development is better able to meet
the needs of the youth they serve
because of their increased understanding
of the young person's holistic
experience and a developed
skill set to intentionally meet those
needs in ways that build healthy relationships
and reinforce a positive
team culture, " says Okamoto.
What's more, by educating coaches
on DEI skills, such as practicing
self-awareness, recognizing and confronting
unconscious bias, and understanding,
respecting and valuing others,
park and recreation agencies can
equip coaches with the skills needed
to create inclusive environments.
Minjares describes good coaching
as creating a " fun, challenging and
supportive " environment. " However,
many [mistakenly assume] that
every coach knows how to do this
well and that their motivation and
background will translate to effective
support or positive experiences
for kids, " he says. " For example,
a
recent
national
coach
survey
[tinyurl.com/5dyyj7r3] of 10,000
youth sports coaches found that
while 82 [percent] were motivated
to develop young people in their
community, just 20 [percent] of recreational
coaches felt confident in
their ability to help athletes regulate
their emotions. "
Research shows DEI and SEL
training can help coaches gain the
confidence to lead their teams and
nurture
inclusive
environments
that support social and emotional
well-being for all team members -
providing benefits that extend beyond
the sports field or court. The
national coach survey also found that
" 85 [percent] of coaches with SEL
training felt they had a moderate to
high impact on youth persisting in
educational settings, compared to
69 [percent] of coaches without SEL
training, " says Minjares.
Establishing
a
training
program
that
well-rounded
includes
SEL and DEI training for coaches,
staff and other adults interested
in volunteering in youth sports
programs offered by park and
recreation agencies is a key factor
in advancing youth development
outcomes and youth sports equity.
Okamoto emphasizes the importance
of ensuring that all involved
in youth
sports administration,
from coaches to those who select
and hire them, complete DEI and
SEL training. Under-represented
and under-resourced groups will
benefit most from these practices,
as they " often have fewer opportunities
and increased barriers to sport
participation, " she says.
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G | MARCH 2 0 2 4 | Parks & Recreation
37
PHOTO COURTESY OF U.S. SOCCER FOUNDATION
http://tinyurl.com/5dyyj7r3
March 2024 - Parks and Recreation

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