Is your “safe space to train” in sports or arts REALLY a safe space?

A Message to Owners, Directors, Educators & Coaches:

We are approaching the beginning of August: the time of year that planning for the next season gets ramped up for dance studio owners & teachers, arts production managers & directors, and coaches & directors of winter/full year sports programs.

Honestly, the timing of the current events at the Olympics could not be more timely. The uproar from the public and the protesting on social media about the treatment and response to athletes is totally taking centre stage. It’s about time, right? My partner actually said to me yesterday “man, the world is just SO different than it was 5 years ago”. Especially when it comes to conversations about women/girls, gender & mental health in sports (and the arts).

"You won’t be perfect, but you are certainly trying to be better. And the more of us that do that- the safer the space will start to become. Keep making good changes….and then make more"

I am just going to say it a little louder for the folks in the back who can’t hear… THE WORLD IS A DIFFERENT PLACE THAN IT WAS 5 YEARS AGO….AND IT'S A VERRRRRY DIFFERENT PLACE THAN IT WAS 10, 20, 30, 40 years ago. So lets get with the times, and talk more about what we can do to make our corners of the sports or arts world a safer space (for real).

I have browsed the language on websites, brochure and advertising for arts and sports programs; many or most claim to be a safe space for young people to train. That’s amazing!

…but is it ACTUALLY that safe? Where are implicit biases, expectations, gender norms, social norms that many coaches faced when they were younger sneaking into the programming? Can you spot any real systemic changes being made to address social justice issues? It’s uncomfortable to admit, but despite our best attempts at making a space safe, sometimes it just isn’t as safe as we hope it is. And that is because coaches, directors, teachers, and owners will need to do some super uncomfortable work and face the things that we might be doing to perpetuate issues- despite our best efforts to be better!

And if you are still here reading this, that shows how much you as a coach, director, parent, owner CARE! The fact that you are here reading this blog post shows that you care and are willing to make your space safer. It’s the people like you who are going to continue to be the change-makers.

So, let’s look at 5 real things you can consider about how your program start up looks this fall so that you can make your space a safer one, right from day one:

ATTIRE/DRESS CODE

you are already hearing a lot about this in the media. What are you requiring your artists, athletes, dancers to wear? Is it different based on gender? If so, why? What is the reason you tell yourself when you answer why it is the way it is? (if it is because “it was always done that way, so its tradition”….maybe dig a little deeper and ask more about why you think it should still be that way in 2021). What message about the body and gender are you sending with your dress code?

GENDER PRONOUNS

Are parents filling out a check box for male/female on a registration form? Does your form have any other options? Are you asking the participants? (I bring this up because it is not uncommon for a young person to prefer to be referred to by a different gender pronoun than their parents want for them- just because a parent says they identify as female, does not mean the athlete does. Then you have to decide how to navigate that conversation). Perhaps consider starting your first session with your usual icebreaker/get to know you activity, but add in a new component where you give your own pronouns in your introduction and invite each participant to share theirs as well- and then write it down so you can remember and USE their pronouns. It would also be important to let the participants know that if they are not comfortable sharing their preferred pronouns to the group yet (such as in the above example) that a private conversation with you and that person is welcomed! Open the door to possibilities so that one participant does not feel left out or ashamed. Don’t make this process a big deal- make it normal to talk about pronouns.

MARKETING

Take a look at your marketing and advertising and consider it from a diversity lens. Are you trying to become a more diverse organization and more inclusive racially? (in dance, there are some specific attire/dress code modifications you can make to be more inclusive in this way in particular. Reach out if you need some guidance). If you are working to make your organization more diverse, but your marketing does not reflect diversity and inclusivity, this is something to consider. I often will say to organizations, “ask yourself why you AREN’T attracting more diverse clients?”. People want to see themselves in your staff, your advertising and clientele. They want to know that yours is a community they belong in. But!- don’t just run out and hire BIPOC models to start to show diversity in your advertising- that would be false advertising. Instead, it takes more deliberate changes you will need to make to how you execute programming and deliver marketing materials.

BODY IMAGE

You have about a month until your season starts, right? If you have never studied human anatomy and you are coaching/directing- GO. LEARN. IT. NOW! You need to know how the human body functions from a biomechanic and anatomic lens. Learn the names of the muscles, bones, connective tissues, and areas of the body that you are referring to. Referring to things such as “tummy, bum, etc” not only leads to confusion from young athletes about their own bodies and what things are called, but it can also lead to body image issues. Instead, when we refer to the specific anatomical terms, the athlete learns to understand specific muscle groups and a respect for how the body works. It does not need to be a mystery. Oh- and try your best to model this in yourself- use body positive language and respectful body talk about yourself. Who reading this is guilty of being critical of your “old” body in front of them? If we want them to respect their own bodies, we really need to model that ourselves, right?

CONSENT

ASK PERMISSION before you touch! If physical corrections are a major part of your practice- have the conversation to let them know that you will need to physically correct them. And then continue to ask out of respect. Notice if you are singling any one participant out to demonstrate or use as an example. I remember countless times when I was young and I would be pulled by the arm to the middle and told to demonstrate without being asked permission- and I never knew whether I was being called out for being good or bad because my brain shut off in panic mode. I learned nothing when that happened to me and was always embarrassed. If you want to use one of them as an example, please please please ask them every time. Make it known that it is permitted that they say “no” or take a “pass for today”- if we want them to learn to advocate for their own needs, this is a good opportunity to help them put it into practice.

Maybe you’ve already some of these things- or some of them. Wanna know how to check some of them for certain? Video yourself and watch it later to catch yourself doing things that surprise you! Ask your clients and followers for feedback and then humbly take it in, even if it’s not what you want to hear right then. Be patient and nonjudgmental towards yourself. You don’t need to scold or shame yourself when you mess up! You won’t be perfect, but you are certainly trying to be better. And the more of us that do that- the safer the space will start to become. Keep making good changes….and then make more.

Natalka Lewis (MA, CCCQ, BA, AD-CC-CICB) is a licensed Counselling Therapist, a dancer, & an educator who practices from a trauma-informed lens. She specializes in anxiety, depression, self-esteem/worth and perfectionism. Her therapy practice focuses mainly on counselling for dancers, artists & athletes. Natalka’s clients seek out her services because of her lived experience in early-specialization sport and goal/achievement driven activities.

As both a mental health professional and educator, Natalka works from a holistic mind-body framework. She is passionate about empowering other coaches/educators to abandon shame-based practices and educates about how to adopt strengths-based & relationship-based practices. Natalka’s goal is always to create a safe space where artists and athletes can take risks, grow, and maintain positive mental well-being.