Tagged with: advocate athletes coach disability mentor role model sports
A few weeks ago I wrote a blog titled “Teaching sports to special needs athletes: A tripod of influences”. In that blog I discussed how pedagogy (how you teach), content (what you teach) and relationships all contribute to the effectiveness of the athlete’s participation and enjoyment of sports. Positive athlete –coach relationships are particularly important for special needs athletes. Coaches are in a powerful position to role model, mentor and advocate for athletes for whom the social aspects of sports present challenges. Research has shown that peer culture (especially in sports), when role modeled by a coach that values diversity, can support effective and authentic inclusion. The consequence is that athletes with challenges feel valued and accepted by teammates. Sadly, this is not the universal experience of some special needs athletes. Some of these athletes participate in “a culture of exclusion which posits that isolating and marginalizing someone is appropriate, acceptable and sometimes even laudatory” (Sapon-Shevin, 2003).
How can we change this?
Rather than avoiding sports, seek out programs where the coaches believe in the authentic participation of all athletes. The benefits of involvement are considerable; McNeal (1995) noted that interactions in extracurricular sports provides “fringe” students with connections to students who have a positive outlook on sports. It also helps these children to find a venue of access to the more popular members of the school population.
Ask if the programme has a mentor program. Smith (1999) reported that young athletes (middle school age) who indicated that they had a close friend in the sport were more likely to embrace challenges and be physically involved than athletes without a close friend.
Seek out coaches or role models that demonstrate that healthy relationships are built on the mutual exchange of acceptance, kindness, compassion, and empathy (to name a few virtues). When someone feels valued, it increases the likelihood that they will want to continue to participate in sports. This isn’t just “feel good” coaching advice. I believe many more of our athletes – special needs or otherwise – would fulfill their athletic potential and increase their sense of enjoyment if they were to be treated with respect.