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Planning for HER: How One School Is Elevating the Athlete Experience

When schools commit to improving the athlete experience for girls, meaningful change happens. One Coaching HER® Champion is demonstrating what it looks like to move beyond intention and take action to create environments where girls can thrive.

At Newton Country Day School (NCDS) of the Sacred Heart, athletics are about far more than competition. Championed by Warren Perry, Director of Athletics, who recognized the opportunity to further strengthen the sport experience for girls across the school. Through his leadership and commitment to coach education, athlete well-being, and continuous improvement, Coaching HER® has become an important part of the school's vision for supporting girls both on and off the field.

A School-Wide Commitment to Girls

As an all-girls school, leaders recognized the importance of providing coaches and student-athletes with education and resources specific to girls. The response from families has been overwhelmingly positive, with many parents expressing their excitement about the partnership and appreciation for the school's commitment to investing in coach education and the athlete experience.

To support this work, the school developed a dedicated Coaching HER® webpage highlighting its commitment to:

  • Supporting girls' confidence and identity through sport
  • Creating inclusive team cultures
  • Recognizing unconscious gender biases in coaching
  • Emphasizing mastery, growth, and belonging alongside performance
  • Strengthening positive coach-athlete relationships

By bringing these principles to the forefront, NCDS is helping coaches create environments where girls can develop not only as athletes, but also as leaders and young women.

Investing in Coach Learning

A key component of Newton Country Day School’s implementation plan is coach education.

Throughout the summer, all coaches will complete Coaching HER's Body Confidence training, equipping them with practical strategies to better support girls' body image, confidence, and overall well-being in sport.

The learning won't stop there.

During the coming school year, coaches will participate in additional educational sessions that include research-based learning activities, collaborative discussions, and opportunities to reflect on their coaching practices.

Turning Values Into Action

Perhaps most importantly, NCDS is focused on embedding these principles into daily team experiences.

One of the first initiatives planned for next year is the implementation of team culture contracts across all sports programs. These contracts will align coaches and student-athletes around shared expectations, goals, and accountability while reinforcing the importance of Coaching HER®’s 3Cs: Care, Competence, and Choice.

The goal is to create sport environments that are not only competitive, but also supportive, empowering, and enjoyable. As Perry describes it, they are working to implement the 3C’s to continue to grow Falcon teams that are fierce, formational, and fun.

Looking Ahead

Creating positive sport experiences for girls requires more than a single training or presentation. It requires an ongoing commitment to learning, reflection, and action.

Newton Country Day School is embracing that challenge by investing in coaches, engaging families, and intentionally creating environments where girls feel seen, valued, and supported.

Their work as a Coaching HER® Champion serves as a powerful reminder that when schools prioritize the unique needs of girls, they help create experiences that extend far beyond the playing field, experiences that build confidence, strengthen leadership, and inspire girls to stay in sport for years to come.