Who is Coaching Who: The Emotional Intelligence Playbook
You run a high-energy drill. You repeat an instruction, again. You urge the team to reset and refocus but nothing’s clicking. You’re left wondering: Why aren’t they getting it? These moments are invitations to pause and reflect on how you’re connecting. Beneath the surface of performance lies a deeper influence on sport outcomes: Emotional Intelligence…
Behind the Whistle: Spotlighting Women Who Call the Game
The Spark In January 2025, She is Active New Brunswick launched Behind the Whistle, a storytelling series that showcases women officials from across the province. What began as a routine social media post celebrating 3 basketball officials for their recent accomplishment in the Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) quickly gained traction. The overwhelming response sparked…
Calling the Shots: How Youth Sport Officials are Leading
They may not have the loudest voices in the gym or the biggest presence on the field—but these teens are calling the shots, literally. At this year’s Sport Newfoundland and Labrador Awards, 3 under-18 officials were recognized for stepping up to the toughest job in sport: the one where everyone’s watching, and not always kindly….
A Code for All Levels of Sport: Implementing the Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) across Canada
Introduction The Universal Code of Conduct to Prevent and Address Maltreatment in Sport (UCCMS) was introduced to the Canadian sport system at the national level in 2022. It may be time to think about its role across the entire sport spectrum from the national level to the provincial and territorial level and to the local…
Creating safe spaces in recreational sport: A mental health perspective
Sports are often celebrated for their physical benefits, but they also play a crucial role in mental health. Participation in sports can improve mood, stress relief, and foster a sense of belonging (Bruner et al., 2018; Panza et al., 2020). However, while these benefits are well-documented, they aren’t always guaranteed. In fact, sport participation can…
The evolving role of coaches in athlete mental health
A coach’s influence In recent years, the mental health of athletes has garnered significant attention, both on and off the global stage. With young athletes and parents talking more openly about mental health, coaches are now finding themselves at the forefront of this discussion by being held responsible for recognizing and addressing mental health issues…
Putting mental health and performance at the heart of athlete development
Many different factors need to be considered to provide optimal development experiences for athletes. The supports and skills needed to promote lifelong sport engagement and the potential to achieve high performance go beyond the physical and sport-specific. In fact, the knowledge, attitudes, attributes and skills that promote athletes’ mental performance, mental health, relationship quality, and…
NoRefNoGame: The mental health costs of referee abuse in sports
A leading sport administrator, with over 3 decades of experience working with some of the biggest sport bodies in the country, says the kind of abuse faced by referees at all levels of sport in Canada has reached a “crisis” point that requires drastic measures. Johnny Misley, a former top official with Hockey Canada and…
Leveling the playing field: Accessibility in youth basketball
This article is part of a series in collaboration with the Centre for Healthy Youth Development through Sport (CHYDS) at Brock University and was presented at the CHYDS’ hosted Youth Sport Summit in April 2024. Most kids who have played basketball have never been on a basketball team. Despite its potential to be one of the…
The state of coaching sport: Landmark report reveals new insights and data
This article is part of a series in collaboration with the Centre for Healthy Youth Development through Sport (CHYDS) at Brock University and was presented at the CHYDS’ hosted Youth Sport Summit in April 2024. Coaching is the backbone of sport, fostering skill development, mentorship, and a sense of community among athletes and participants. With 1…