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Core Content
Coaching from a body inclusive approach means being accepting of, and encouraging, appearance diversity on your team. Remember, this can relate to:
Height
Weight
Body size
Body shape
Hair color
Hair length
Eye color
Skin color
Skin shade
Religion
Gender identity and gender expression
Visible differences and injuries (e.g., scars, limb differences)
Ability (e.g., neurodiversity, wheelchair use)
Any other factors related to people’s physical appearance and body functionality
Sport and movement benefit ALL people, and therefore should accommodate ALL people.
Body inclusive coaching means acknowledging that people come in different sizes and promoting eating well and movement for well-being rather than for weight management. It means acknowledging misconceptions like thinking weight loss depends on exercising or thinking that performance is related to how an athlete’s body looks.
It doesn’t matter if practicing sports doesn’t change our body and we don’t have to be thin to play sports or to eat a certain way. Practicing sports is good for our physical and mental health, even if our weight doesn’t change.
Similarly, body inclusive coaching means not making assumptions about people’s capabilities, health, values or sport skills based on, for example, their gender, ethnicity or ability. It means making our sport spaces safe and accessible for all abilities, and giving all athletes the opportunity to take part in and enjoy sports.
Sport connects us with feelings of pleasure, provides a sense of purpose and helps build communities.
