As part of Play Academy with Naomi Osaka’s ‘Gender and Sport Coaching Program’ in Japan, Laureus Sport for Good has released the Japanese Coaching Guide for Girls. The Coaching Guide was first made available at the COACH THE DREAM – CHANGING SPORT FOR GIRLS summit on 18 October in Tokyo, where participants were encouraged to continue the momentum and apply their learnings.
Download a PDF version of the Japanese Coaching Guide for Girls on playacademynaomi.com.
“In the past four years for Play Academy working in Japan, local leaders and coaches had expressed that they weren’t sure how to embrace gender equality in sport. So we wanted to develop and provide a ready-to-use coaching toolkit to assist them to create more gender inclusive opportunities in sport.”
— Laureus Sport for Good Senior Programs and Grants Manager Kaho Shinohara
The Guide is based off the US-version developed by Center for Healing and Justice through Sport (CHJS), and takes into account the culture of Japan. It is designed to easily be applied into the Japanese sport settings. Japanese experts and coaches participating in the Gender and Sport Coaching Program were engaged in the process of its development.
Dr. Etsuko Ogasawara, Executive Director of the Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport, Juntendo University, said Japanese coaches face three challenges when they have girls participating; the Coaching Guide helps coaches overcome those barriers:
“The most common physical and physiological challenges for girls are associated with menstruation,” Dr. Ogasawara explained. “The second most are the psychological and social challenges, which includes harassment of girls. Third is the organizational and environmental challenges, which is seen in the lack of awareness to create comfortable sport environments for girls.”
The Japanese Coaching Guide outlines seven approaches of the “knowledge” coaches should know and what kind of “awareness” is important in coaching based on that knowledge, so that girls can safely and securely participate in sport, and therefore develop life skills. A checklist is also included for coaches to apply their knowledge and awareness, as well as ideas for interactive sessions to introduce sport for development approaches in promoting gender equality.
“A coach is a person who creates a sport experience for a young person. A good coach is someone who makes sure that every sport experience is rich with positive relationships, encourages young people to move their bodies and creates challenges through which athletes can see themselves grow.”
— Megan Bartlett, Founder of CHJS
7 approaches introduced in the Guide
1. Starting sport activities for girls
Who defined “girliness”? – Learn what gender issues are and understand why gender issues are problematic in sport settings.
2. Safeguarding
Do the best for girls – Learn what “safeguarding” is, and organizations can ensure children’s rights are protected in sports settings.
3. Create an environment for girls
Meet diverse needs – Learn how to create a sport environment and facilities (changing rooms, restrooms etc.) where girls feel they belong.
4. Create an organizational culture for girls
Dialogue for girls – Learn how to foster a gender-mindful understanding throughout the organization.
5. Talking with girls
Better communication – Learn ways to understand how to communicate with girls and how to create an environment where girls can confidently take on challenges.
6. Talking with parents
Parents are part of the team – Parents’ understanding and cooperation are essential for creating an environment where girls can actively participate in sport.
7. Planning an interactive sport session
Change the game for girls – Learn how to create sessions where girls can enjoy sport and physical activity in a safe and secure environments.
Commitments to change sport for girls
Play Academy is also pleased that the following 17 Japanese organizations have taken a pledge to utilize the Japanese Coaching Guide for Girls:
- Sport for Creating Pathways Japan
- Junk Baseball Club
- Tokyo Sports Cross Lab
- Woman Athletes Project(WAP) by Alliance of Japan Top Leagues
- NPO J-Camp
- Incorporated Educational Institution Nittsu Gakuen Ryutsu Keizai University
- Spocom,INC.
- Yomiuri Giants
- Japan Basketball Association
- Japan Rugby Football Union
- Japan DanceSport Federation
- Nonprofit Organization Monkey Magic
- National Women’s Education Center of Japan
- Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport, Juntendo University
- Joint Master’s Program in International Development and Peace through Sport of University of Tsukuba/ National Institute of Fitness and Sports in KANOYA
- Momoyama Gakuin University of Education
- Yamato Sylphid
Play Academy will continue supporting Japanese coaches and sport leaders for girls by providing training opportunities next year – dispatching ‘Master Coaches’ to the organizations and holding webinars to promote the Coaching Guide in Japan.
“Sports experiences that are structured to intentionally meet girls’ needs have overwhelmingly positive effects on their social, emotional and physical development. Anyone who wants to make sure that their sports team allows girls to show up as their whole selves should follow the recommendations of this toolkit.”
— Megan Bartlett, Founder of CHJS
