Implementing trauma-informed approaches to coaches’ workplaces in sport to enhance their safety and wellbeing: A critical commentary

Abstract

Although safe sport strategies have focused on protecting athletes, coaches’ wellbeing and safety has received less attention. Given recent safe sport directives have been expanded to include all members involved in sport being protected from harm, coaches should not be left out of the discourse. In this critical commentary, we focus on coaches’ potential exposure to adverse events in their workplace, which may lead to them experiencing trauma. To underscore our commentary to include coaches, we draw on composite vignettes and media excerpts focusing on traumatic events experienced by coaches across sports and levels. Examples include coaches being threatened with, or being the recipient/s of violence, witnessing abuse, witnessing traumatic injury or death, and being bullied/cyber bullied, all of which have been linked to trauma. These examples support a case for why trauma-informed work environments should be prioritised by sport organisations to support coach wellbeing and enhance coach safety.