It is and remains an important theme in sport: a safe sports climate. But how do you change undesirable behavior on and next to the field? This is possible due to the use of campaigns, but on the training for sports and exercise in Assen they tackle it differently: there the theme ‘Safe Sports Climate’ is a mandatory subject.
“We want to contribute to sport in society. Everyone has to enjoy sports, but we also want them to keep that pleasure throughout their lives. By paying attention to a safe sports climate, we try to realize that. Unfortunately it is still necessary,” explains teacher Frank Schouten.
Too often sport is the emphasis on performance, and not on pleasure and growth. Jens Kemper notices that. He is a student at the sports and exercise campus in Assen, but in his spare time he does ice hockey. “I am the keeper. If we have had a bad game, I will have a hard time. Then only the result counts. That is not nice.”
But aggression inside and outside the lines also still occurs, notes Robin Koopman. In his spare time he gives football training to the youth. “I see screaming parents on the side quite often. I notice that that makes a great impression on the children.”
During the mandatory lesson, the students learn how to go from result -oriented sports, where the profit mainly counts, to more pleasure. “The focus must be more on the development of the athlete,” says Schouten. He explains to the group how that can already be done with simple tricks. “Giving compliments, knowing names, sometimes sit at eye level when you address someone. See who is suffering from fear of failure. In short, pay attention to the individual.”
Students from the Sports and Beweegcampus from Assen are trained to become a coach or teacher later. During the lessons she is learned that as a trainer they influence the sports climate. “I have a lot to do,” says Esmee Jongsma. She gives dance class at Dansschool Jan Postema in Assen. “I work with girls in the teenage life. I notice that they are pretty insecure because they don’t know if they are doing well. As a coach you learn what you have to do to reassure them.”
Thanks to the lessons with different eyes, fellow student Koopman went to watch his football club. “It’s not just about the children, but also about the referee, the board and the parents. You pay more attention to whether they also stick to a safe sports climate.”