Bullying in Sports

Whether it's from parents, players or coaches, disrespectful behaviour has become a growing concern in our gyms, rinks, and on our playing fields.

What Coaches Can Do

As a coach recognize that you are a role model to your players. Set a good example and reinforce positive behaviour. Ensure a safe and respectful sport environment by not engaging in, allowing, condoning, or ignoring bully behaviours. You, as well as the players, can get wound up in a game and not realize your own actions could be harmful to others. So be prepared to look critically at your own behaviour and change what you're doing if you find you are becoming somewhat of a bully to others. You may think that some actions by your players are just because they are being competitive and want to win a game, but it actually could be bullying. Do not bypass these behaviours as competitiveness. Treat it as bad behavior that needs to be stopped. If you find you're being approached for your or someone on your team's behaviour accept the feedback without getting defensive and change if needed.

If a player on your team comes to you with an issue whether it be about bullying or anything else, do not shrug it off. You are one of the trusted people that players should be able to go to in case of an issue. Take responsibility for your team players and help with the problem. When you eliminate bullying you are helping kids to have fun in a more enjoyable sport atmosphere.

Bullying during, after, and before sports may appear as yelling and screaming directed at a target, continually criticizing the person's abilities, making unreasonable demands related to the player's performance, repeated insults or put downs, threats of actual physical violence, threats to remove or restrict opportunities or privileges for the game, and denying or discounting the player's accomplishments.

If you see any of these actions taking place, whether the player is on your team or not, speak up and help out.