As the mental health crisis continues to impact our communities, I believe it is imperative that we as a sport community continue to take proactive approaches to support both athlete and coach mental health. In my work over the last 5 years in youth, collegiate and professional sport (and from my experience as a former youth and collegiate coach) I feel one area sport culture can improve is in supporting our sport coaches. Coaches have mental health too and our mental health directly impacts our individual and team performance and their mental health.

When we support and equip our coaches with the tools and skills to be resilient this will positively impact how they in turn support and empower their athletes. Sport, at a foundational level is about community and connection. Sport environments are places where, given the right tools and skills, athletes can thrive, learn life long lessons and build resilience. When we empower our athletes we help them build their capacity for more ownership, responsibility and agency around their mental health and performance. Resilient and Empowered Coaching is about creating connection and collaboration through education and awareness for coaches.

When we empower our coaches and help them build more resilience we are supporting and empowering our athletes to build resilience. This is what sport is all about.