Too often, team sports managements disenfranchise young players or potentially good players by treating them like pieces of meat. For too many coaches, If they are not up to making the first team, they are not important. It is important to remember that athletes (especially young ones) develop at different rates. A weak 12 year old could be an excellent 18 year old if given the opportunity, encouragement and support.

One of the main predictors of player retention is how one is treated by their coach. Whether you are a star player, a good player or a bad player, everybody wants to feel wanted and loved.  In fact Danish child psychologist, Abraham Maslow referred to this in his famous child psychology development model; his “hierarchy of needs” (1970). This transfers and applies to sport also. Other posts relate to a positive type of leadership in sport a coach…