October is a month to celebrate the coaches who make sport better for girls and women. On and off the field, coaches are more than teachers of drills and plays, they are mentors, motivators, and role models. Their impact can change the way girls see themselves in sport and in life.
At the same time, International Day of the Girl reminds us that every girl deserves the chance to play, lead, and belong. Together, these moments highlight the importance of coaches who model inclusion, create safe environments, and open pathways for girls to grow into athletes, leaders, and confident young women.
The numbers speak volumes. Research shows that negative coaching experiences are one of the primary reasons girls leave sport—and girls are more likely than boys to cite coaching problems as the cause of dropping out (Keathley et al., 2013). When girls feel supported and valued by their coaches, they are more likely to thrive and stay in sport.
Coaches don’t do this work alone. Leaders can invest in training and resources that help every coach meet girls’ needs for care, competence, and choice. Parents too play a role by supporting coaches who emphasize joy, mastery, and good sport behavior over pressure or comparison.
The 3C Formula: Care, Competence, and Choice
Coaching HER®, is founded on research which states that meeting and supporting three core psychological needs help keep girls engaged in sport:
When coaches meet girls’ 3C needs, they do more than keep girls on the roster. They create environments where girls flourish. Take the FM6 Supporting Girls’ Needs today and discover how you can be the reason a girl stays in sport, grows in confidence, and sees herself as a leader.
These actions send a powerful message: you belong here, your voice matters, and your growth matters.