Men play a critical role in creating great environments for girls in sports and for women coaches.

Sports are so important to the development of young people and their coaches have a huge influence on that experience. Male coaches can be great coaches of girls and can support and mentor women coaches if they are intentional in three areas of their allyship. Male coaches need to be thoughtful about the language they use and how they communicate their support for athletes and fellow coaches. They need to promote female coach leadership and mentorship. And finally, they need to know when to step back so others can take the lead.

First and foremost, male coaches need to use language that supports athletes/coaches and avoids unintentional bias. Use gender neutral language when addressing athletes and coaches, such as “athletes” and “coach” or, better yet, use their name.

• Avoid “Hey, girls” or “Get it, girl!”, even when used with positive intent (such as recognizing that a female rider is clearing a new obstacle)
• Never use the words “baby”, “babe”, or pet names to refer to your female student-athletes
• Avoid giving unsolicited advice, or “mansplaining”, to female athletes and coaches
  • This is especially prevalent in sports with technical equipment, such as our sport of mountain biking. For example, ask permission to support an athlete or coach with mechanical issues rather than assuming that they need support because they are a woman.
• Never tolerate this language with male athletes on your team or with other male coaches on your team

Another way to communicate your support of female athletes and coaches is to wear clothing that celebrates female sports teams and female athletes. There have been powerful examples in recent years of celebrities wearing the now famous “Everyone Watches Women’s Sports” t-shirts. The type of representation from coaches is important for female and male athletes to see. If you are the head coach of a girls’ team or a co-ed team, sweat the small stuff and set behavioral expectations and respond to negative behaviors and comments towards girls.

Male coaches also play an important role in promoting and creating space for female leadership. Intentionally recruit female coaches to be a part of your team if you are the head coach. Once they are a part of your team, mentor female coaches, give them space to learn, and to lead. Actively support and show respect for your female coaches in front of the team. Encourage female coaches to lead practices and help give them the tools to be successful.

The final step in supporting female coaches is to know when to take a step back. As coaches, we are very passionate and love working with our student-athletes, regardless of gender. There are times when the best thing a male coach can do is to step back so others can take the lead. That doesn’t mean that male coaches need to be excluded, but it does mean that they need to step back and take a supportive role rather than a leadership role. Strong female leadership helps our girls and boys get a well-rounded picture of what a coach and athlete looks like. As a male coach, you can take a step back and support in other ways.

• Run check-in & registration for events or practices
• Be in charge of administrative duties and logistics rather than athlete facing

Taking a step back will allow others to shine and grow as coaches and leaders. We all know how important sports are. Boys are often given more opportunities to see coaches who look like them in leadership positions on teams. As male coaches and leaders in youth sports, we can support all athletes by using intentional language, promoting female coach leadership, and knowing when to step back so others can take the lead. Actively supporting female coaches and student-athletes will create a better youth sports environment for everyone! Thanks for doing what you do to create that positive sports environment on your team and in your community!

This content was authored by NICA’s coach education team. NICA’s comprehensive coach education program provides new and existing coaches with the high-quality training and resources they need to be confident, competent, and empowered leaders on their youth mountain bike teams. NICA coaches not only create amazing experiences for student-athletes, they create a foundation for building healthy mountain bike communities. NICA coaches change lives! 

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