Putting aside the current scoreline and retention of the Ashes for one minute for the English readers, let’s talk leadership in sport. With this Ashes series over, many are calling for a change of personnel and leadership. But the main question remains, what type of leadership does this current group need? Does it need a reshuffle from the top-down approach with a more player involved leadership style?

Coaches (or captain in this top heavy scenario) as leaders have a significant role to play in creating an environment that athletes feel valued, connected, confident and comfortable. In such environments, coaching becomes a process where coaches and athletes are fully integrated and sport becomes a worthwhile (inter)personal pursuit. Media reports are just that yet reflecting on interviews and match play, it could be suggested that a new leadership structure is wanted or needed by this group…not due to their current results yet more so due to their current engagement, well-being and motivation.

As 2021 draws to a close, one of my personal highlights was being invited to present to Gymnastics AUS HP coaches as part of their Academy program. I was able to discuss the importance of effective relationships between coach and athlete, drawing upon ideas from sport specific research and personal experiences. This coincides with the Jacksonville Jaguars firing Urban Meyer in his first season as coach after just 13 games and two wins. It ends a tumultuous era following an accumulation of mishaps including reports of Meyer kicking his kicker at practice.

While Coach Meyer cannot be surprised by the choice and actions taken by NFL franchise, I wanted to discuss the ideas, research and my opinion towards the importance and impact effective relationships between coach and athletes can have. What are effective relationships and how can they be developed in sport? In HP or professional sport, how important or how much impact can effective relationships have? Surely it should be more about successful relationships, focusing on athlete development and “winning”….??

Different sports, different countries, similar problems…..sporting organisations and teams failing to meet the ethical responsibility we have to nurture people with exceptional talents.

This article looks at the importance of seeing your athletes as a whole person as opposed to a players. I believe that acknowledging social and cultural forces exert a strong impact on the content, timing, and player’s articulation of characteristic adaptations such as personal strivings, it might be beneficial for coaches…to be more aware of (player’s) personal strivings or goals to better understand their internal narrative identity and desired cultural demands or encouragement expected to effectively develop their life story.

As we come to an end of the Southern Hemisphere rugby season with the Autumn internationals concluding this weekend, a number of coaches have reached out and discussed the transition and transformation in the Wallabies’ senior side team culture, showing plenty of pride in being part of the group. From us outsiders looking in, how has this been developed? What has changed; solely the re-introduction of former exiled players, post COVID era so genuine gratitude to be able to play again on a global scale or something more? Coming back to the opening idea, what does the village look like in HP sport or individuals such as the Wallabies environment?

Last week, I was fortunate to be part fortunate to be part of Sport and Mental Health forum as part of Australia wide Mental Health month. In line with the National Mental Health Month's theme this year on 'Mental Health: Post Pandemic Recovery Challenges and Resilience', the Mental Health Foundation Australia has planned a Sport and Mental Health Forum. The forum focused on crucial periods for managing mental wellbeing in sport, including aspiring to transition into elite sport, dealing with external pressures, transitioning out of the activity and the limelight and building understanding for coaches and parents. One of the side topics discussed was the mental wellbeing of coaches, a somewhat overlooked subject in many sports. While even my research addresses and focuses on the motivations and engagement of athletes, an area of increasing awareness and concern is the wellbeing of coaches, looking at causation of burnout or mental fatigue from being involved in HP sport. This article addresses are we as coaches being offered or offering psychologically safe environments where we can express ourselves, show emotional awareness to see and display skills such as humility and gratitude while having the support and freedom to grow and develop?