TRAIN - Good Practices
Coaching
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Practising gender equity at training sessions — Gender equity can be encouraged through participation in specific drills. Changing behaviours regarding gender equity on the field can also affect how we perceive others and deconstruct our biases off the pitch.
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Adopt pedagogical methods in training — Coaches should have pedagogic knowledge and training to make the dissemination of information more effective and engaging.Pedagogical methods are an easy way to structure training, ensure effective communication and deliver results.
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Give beginners short-term goals — It is hard for athletes to commit to sport as long as they are not invested. Short-term goals help to keep their focus during practice and encourage athletes to begin investing in their progress.
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Create seasonal milestones for your team: Start of the season, Mid-season review, End-of-season celebration — Successful teams use milestones and team meetings to set and focus on their seasonal goals, track their progress and celebrate their successes at the end of the season.
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Create seasonal training plans and distribute them in advance — A seasonal training plan creates a structure for the season. It allows athletes to plan their season and ensure they maximise their training. All bodies are different and, as a result, react to intensive and rest periods differently.
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Menstrual cycle and training — The menstrual cycle should be considered, and more awareness should be raised about how hormones interact with an athlete's performance and injury prevention.
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Define how and by whom personal feedback should be given — Feedback allows a player to improve. But there should be clear rules on how to give it and who should do it to avoid confusing players with contradicting suggestions. Feedback is a central tool in developing a person and their skills, but all involved need to know how to use it.
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Player responsibilities should involve development activities — Sports associations are mainly run by volunteers; therefore, as many people as possible must dedicate time to recruiting for and developing the organisation. Each association must invest in development to generate a continuous flow of new members and raise the quality of the existing player base.
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Menstruation and its potential effect on training plans — The menstrual cycle has a massive impact on the training and life of an athlete. Coaches should be aware of issues associated with the menstrual cycle and be able to adapt and personalise their program to suit the needs of their athletes.
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Don't compare the women's and men's divisions of the same sport — Although a sport may be played by the same rules regardless of gender, there are often tactical differences between women’s and men’s sports that make any comparison between the two ineffective and inappropriate. There is often the tendency to measure women's sports according to how men's sports are played and reduce the former as a lesser copy of the latter.
Infrastructure
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Consider the needs and safety of women matching players when choosing a location — Things like the commute to and from training can determine your team's ability to recruit and retain women matching players.
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Ensure that the training facilities have the necessary infrastructure — Clean and well-suited toilets and changing rooms should be a minimum standard in your plans to create a safe and inclusive environment for athletes. The lack of hygienic conditions may become a stark barrier for players to join the practice or may even lead to dropouts. Such hygiene standards are essential, especially for menstruating people.
Organisation
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Take new players to a fun beginners-only tournament — Your first experience of an ultimate tournament is unique. Allowing new players to experience this only bolsters your chance that they will stay playing in the club for longer.
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Define seasonal budgets and goals as a team and plan how you will achieve them — Seasonal goals can help your team plan the season and give purpose and direction to the team. To archive those proficiently, clear rules about the desired commitment from both the players and the association is a must.
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Create a buddy system — Having experienced players act as buddies to new players can help with advice/motivation in a more personal way.
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Create a mentorship program for coaches and leaders — As important it is for new players, it is also important for new leaders to be supported and guided in their development by an experienced person
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The benefits of developing leaders in your club — For an organisation to function, it requires the time and effort of volunteers and leaders. It is important not to overwhelm a few with the significant responsibility to keep an organisation running. By creating a new pathway for leaders, you can make a direct pathway into a leadership position within the organisation and work to develop the skills of those involved.
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Junior Mixed Clubs - Have additional open and women's practices and tournaments — Various studies show that young under 17 prefer to participate in sports in a women-only environment. This changes as athletes get older women and more confident in their athletic abilities and social skills.
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Elect gender-equity captains — Gender Equity captains are trusted persons that are the first point of contact for gender issues and are responsible for implementing gender equity measures within the association or the team. Some players already take this responsibility unofficially. However, it is good to make it an official and clear role within your team or association.
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Support the development of your women's team leaders and coaches. — The development of women-matching players, their teams and coaches can and should be aided in many different ways.
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Challenge your athlete's abilities appropriately — Coaches are constantly challenged to develop and create drills that are difficult enough to stimulate concentration and favour skill development. One of the most challenging tasks for coaches is handling a player base with varying levels of ability and skill.
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Create a safe and inclusive environment — A safe and inclusive environment can foster the development of trust between players on and off the field. It will also positively affect the sense of camaraderie and group identity with the team or association. As a team leader, manager or player, you directly contribute to the atmosphere and culture of your team or club.