Episode Details

Unlocking Potential with girls, grants and angel investors in Youth Coaching

Discover how to coach girls effectively and learn about a new scalable aquatic platform, all in this episode, #59, of Heavy Or Not. Quick updates on multiple topics.

• CoachingHer supplies the free digital toolkit, created by Dr. Nicole LaVoi and the Tucker Center, by visiting Read.SwimISCA.org.

• Core psychological needs for female athletes: competence, choice, and care – presented as a simple cycle.

• The CoachingHer pyramid: physiological basics → safety → belonging → esteem → self‑actualization.

• Then, the second application for the $50,000 Moonshot Aquatics Grant. There is still hope for the funding for the AI Coaching Wizard.

• Lastly, we seek assistance from Angel investors to launch of a media‑first aquatic lifestyle brand that turns swimming into a scalable, inclusive community.

Access the free resources:

• https://read.swimisca.org

1. Introduction to the CoachingHer Program

• Purpose & Vision – A free video and course designed to help coaches effectively coach girls and women.

• Why Coaching Matters – Coaches are a key factor in whether girls enter, stay, or drop out of sport.

• Creator Background – Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi: former tennis coach, scholar‑educator, Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport.

• Core Issue Highlighted – Unconscious gender bias & stereotypes that hurt girls' self‑perceptions.

• Toolkit Features – Evidence‑based, on‑demand digital resources; bookmarkable, pause‑and‑play, device‑agnostic.

• Upcoming Modules – Body‑confident coaching, de‑stigmatizing menstruation, mental‑health, body‑image.

• Community Call‑to‑Action – Join, spread the word, become "her reason" to stay in sport.

2. Accessing the Materials & Learning Management System (LMS)

• Link Provided –read.swimisca.org(redirects to the International Swim Coaches Association LMS).

• Free Availability – All CoachingHer resources are offered at no charge.

• Support & Funding – Program supported by the University of Minnesota, Nike, and other major sponsors.

3. Mark Rauterkus's Personal Coaching Context

• Location & Setting – Coach in Pittsburgh, PA; Assistant Coach at an independent girls‑only private school (akin to an international school).

• Observations on Coaching Girls vs. Boys/Co‑ed – Distinct approaches needed; emphasis on psychological needs.

4. Psychological Needs Framework for Coaching Girls

• Three Core Needs (Cycle)

  1. Competence – Development and improvement of sport‑specific skills.

  2. Choice – Empowering athletes with self‑determination (e.g., attendance, skill focus, event selection).

  3. Care – Demonstrating genuine value and individualized attention.

• Reverse Ordering Mentioned – Care → Choice → Competence, emphasizing the cyclical nature.

5. Pyramid of Athlete Needs (Adapted from CoachingHer/Tucker Center)

• Base Layer – Physiological Needs

  • Food, water, warmth, safety, appropriate pool environment, locker‑room logistics, travel considerations, weather conditions.

• Second Layer – Psychological/Safety Needs

  • Sense of belonging, love, relationships, team bonding, camaraderie, inclusion.

• Third Layer – Esteem Needs

  • Self‑pride, prestige, accomplishment, building confidence, avoiding belittlement.