Creating a caring climate for girls in sport

The Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport is proud to announce the launch of a new Coaching HER® course: The Caring Climate.

The Caring Climate course equips coaches, educators, and sport leaders with applicable tools for creating environments that keep girls in sports. Coaches and leaders will learn to foster an environment where every girl feels cared about, safe to make mistakes, confident to grow, and a true sense of belonging.

Many traditional coaching practices were developed without girls' experiences and needs in mind. Creating a caring climate is an intentional way to counter the gender stereotypes and societal pressures girls face by fostering an environment where they feel seen, valued, supported, and empowered to thrive. Caring Climates reject the stereotype that care is a "soft," inherently feminine trait exclusive to girls or those who coach them.  A caring climate is a universal environment of psychological safety, mutual respect, and personal growth benefiting any athlete.

Developed by leading experts Candace Hogue, Lori Gano-Overway, and Mary Fry, the Caring Climate Course (CCC) features six concise, actionable modules that provide practical take-aways and can be completed in 4-12 minutes each. The CCC is packed with research-based strategies and ready-to-use tools coaches can immediately apply to create caring sport environments that support girls in reaching their full potential while fostering belonging and acceptance.

“I am confident and excited about the addition of the Caring Climate Course to Coaching HER®,” said Nicole M. LaVoi, Director of the Tucker Center. “Developed by world class experts and tested to be effective, we know coaches, sport leaders, and organizations will find the content accessible, practical, and useful in helping coaches create a climate where girls feel cared about. Many girls leave sport because they do not feel cared, about, supported, or valued and perceive sport is not for them. The Caring Climate adds to our already strong content to help get and keep girls in sport and help all girls thrive.”

Launched in March 2023, Coaching HER® powered by Nike, is a groundbreaking educational initiative designed to address the harmful gender biases and stereotypes that often go unchallenged in sport settings. By targeting these invisible barriers, the program enhances the sport experience for girls and women across all levels. To explore Coaching HER®, access the new modules, or learn more about ongoing partnerships and impact, visit www.CoachingHER.com or contact Program Director Alicia Pelton.