SUPPORTING GIRLS ON MIXED GENDER TEAMS

YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES to help all the girls* on your team thrive. The Mini-Trainings and resources on this page offer tips, strategies, and ideas to help coaches, program coordinators, and families meet the needs of girl-identified Poet-Athletes.

* “Girls” refers to gender-expansive youth (cis girls, trans girls, non-binary youth, gender non-conforming youth, gender queer youth and any girl-identified youth).

Click here for more tips and details about SELECTA Best Practices

SUPPORTING GIRLS ON MIXED GENDER TEAMS MINI-TRAININGS

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Girls in the Game Overview (~15 min)

This Mini-Training covers some of the challenges and opportunities for girls in sports, and the importance of inclusive coaching.

Engaging Girls in Sports (~15 min)

This Mini-Training explores several proven strategies for getting girls in the game.

Involving Families (~15 min)

This Mini-Training provides tips and ideas for connecting with parents and family members to support girls' involvement in sports.

Inclusive Team Culture (~25 min)

Let's do everything we can to build an inclusive environment for ALL kids, and keep girls in the game. This Mini-Training offers some best practices and strategies for engaging, inspiring and empowering youth in mixed-gender teams.

MORE RESOURCES FOR GIRLS IN THE GAME

Special thanks to the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport for compiling some amazing resources for coaching girls. These tips, and the CHJS Coaching Girls Guide are valuable resources on your coaching journey. From CHJS website:

Coaches and parents – want to know the secret sauce for keeping girls in sports? Spoiler alert: It’s not about pink jerseys or sparkly water bottles.

This guide, crafted with love (and a whole lot of research) with our friends at Nike, breaks down the art and science of coaching girls. Here’s the highlight reel:

Connection is Queen: Girls thrive on relationships. Create a team vibe that’s more “sisterhood of the traveling soccer ball” than “survival of the fittest.”
Brave, Not Perfect: Encourage girls to take risks and celebrate their efforts, not just their outcomes. Remember, Serena Williams wasn’t built in a day.
Progress Over Perfection: Focus on individual improvement rather than comparing girls to each other. Every personal best deserves a happy dance.
Let Them Compete: Contrary to popular belief, girls love competition. Give them chances to challenge themselves and each other.
Create Safe Spaces: Both physically and emotionally. A well-lit field and judgment-free zone go a long way.
Language Matters: Ditch “you guys” for more inclusive terms. “Alright team, let’s crush it!” works just fine.
Role Models Rock: Expose girls to diverse female athletes and coaches. Representation isn’t just important, it’s game-changing.
Feedback is Fuel: Ask girls what they need and want. Their input is your secret weapon for creating an awesome experience.

Remember, coaching girls isn’t about lowering the bar – it’s about understanding what makes them tick and helping them soar. With the right approach, you’ll be amazed at what these young athletes can achieve. Now go forth and coach like a girl – fiercely, thoughtfully, and with a whole lot of heart!

Credit to the Center for Healing & Justice through Sport* for these highlights and resources

COACH GUIDES FOR GIRLS IN THE GAME