Courage and Confidence since 1880

Coaching HER

Coaching Girls. Intentionally.

At Newton Country Day School of the Sacred Heart, athletics are about far more than competition. Sport is a powerful setting where girls develop resilience, leadership, Courage, and Confidence that lasts far beyond their playing years.

To strengthen that mission, Newton Country Day Athletics is proud to partner with Coaching HER, a research-based coaching curriculum designed specifically for coaches of girls.

Developed through the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota, Coaching HER equips coaches with evidence-based strategies to create sport environments where girls feel supported, capable, and inspired to keep playing.

Through this partnership, our coaches engage with resources that challenge traditional coaching models and emphasize what girls need most in sport: belonging, growth, and meaningful relationships.

Did You Know?

Girls with strong social connections in sport are 3x more likely to keep playing.

80% of girls cite their coach relationship as a key factor in staying involved.

Programs with trained coaches see significantly higher athlete retention among girls.

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Why Coaching HER Matters

Girls experience sport differently than boys — and coaching approaches should reflect those differences.

Research consistently shows that girls’ experiences in sport are shaped significantly by their relationship with their coach. Studies indicate that 80% of girls cite a positive coach relationship as a top reason they continue participating in sports, and athletes with strong social connections on their teams are far more likely to remain involved long term.

Through the Coaching HER curriculum, Newton Country Day coaches engage with resources that help them:

  • Foster team cultures built on belonging and connection
  • Support girls’ confidence and skill development
  • Emphasize growth, mastery, and enjoyment in sport
  • Recognize and challenge unconscious gender biases in coaching

The Coaching HER Framework

At the heart of Coaching HER is a simple but powerful coaching approach built around three core needs:

Care

Athletes feel valued as people, not just players. Coaches build meaningful relationships and foster a sense of belonging.

Competence

Athletes develop skills and confidence through purposeful instruction, constructive feedback, and opportunities to grow.

Choice

Athletes feel empowered and included in their sport experience, helping them develop leadership, ownership, and independence.

These principles align closely with the Sacred Heart commitment to educating the whole person — mind, body, and spirit.

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A group of young female basketball players sitting on the court, with a banner displaying the words %22Courage & Confidence%22 in the background.
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Coaching HER in Falcon Athletics

At Newton Country Day, the Coaching HER curriculum supports our broader philosophy that sport is formational, fierce, and fun.

Through Coaching HER, our coaches engage in ongoing learning about:

  • Supporting girls’ confidence and identity through sport
  • Creating inclusive team cultures
  • Recognizing unconscious gender biases in coaching
  • Emphasizing mastery, growth, and belonging over outcomes alone
  • Building positive coach-athlete relationships

This work strengthens the impact our coaches have on student-athletes — helping them grow not only as competitors, but as leaders and young women.

Featured Coaching HER Topics

Our coaches explore modules and resources that address the unique experience of girls in sport, including:

Developing Girls in Sport
Understanding the lifelong benefits of participation and the coach’s role in helping girls stay engaged.

Supporting Girls’ Needs
Creating environments that nurture care, competence, and choice.

Positive Coach–Athlete Relationships
How connection and trust fuel confidence, resilience, and long-term participation,

Belonging and Team Culture
Helping every athlete feel seen, valued, and included within the team environment.

 

For Our Community

Creating a positive experience for girls in sport requires partnership across the community.

For Coaches

Continue developing your craft with research-based strategies that support girls’ growth and confidence.

For Parents

Help reinforce the values of belonging, encouragement, and enjoyment that keep girls engaged in sport.

For Student-Athletes

Experience athletics as a place where you can challenge yourself, build friendships, and grow into confident leaders.