The Sideline Fix

As you build out a youth sport program, you definitely need to secure facilities, resources, and players of course. One extra you need to give thought to is the environment. More specifically, how can you craft a supportive environment that is the best for your athletes?

A supportive environment is one that is “warm” and safe. You can think of that in terms of the opposite, when people are labeled as “cold” and “closed off.” Essentially people who are a part of or just witnessing your practices should feel that there is a closeness. People feel connected to each other. They communicate with each other in respectful ways. A safe environment goes beyond making sure there are no physical dangers. Young people need to feel like they can trust you, that you will be there for them. And more importantly, that you won’t turn on them if they make a mistake.

What it boils down to is that young people in your program need to experience what is referred to as instrumental and emotional support from the adults. The adults provide for their physical needs, get them the right equipment, and handle logistics (instrumental). They also care about their feelings (emotional). Perhaps more importantly, it is up to the young people to determine what support means. Despite what all you may be doing for them, if they say they don’t feel supported, then the environment is not supportive. Make sure that you are asking them if what their needs are and whether or not your program is meeting those needs.

It is great if you have a well-manicured field or state of the art facilities, but if you have a supportive environment, all of the money spent won’t do much good.

Here are the key questions you should ask yourself, your staff, and the young people in your program:

What are we doing to support the young people in our programs? (Brainstorm both instrumental and emotional support.)

How do they feel about that support?

What can we do to improve?