Ontario Coaching Report
1 in 7
Ontarians are currently coaching
spending
hours coaching annually
The Ontario Coaching Report is the most comprehensive study on the impact of coaching across all sports and competition levels.
The 2024 report reveals insights into coaching culture, values & behaviours, hazing practices and more.
It also provides actionable steps that coaches, parents, and sport administrators can take to foster sport experiences which are safe, inclusive and fun for all.
Download the full report
Positive Sport Values
When it comes to positive sport, there are 8 shared values we have identified across Canadian sport organizations:
- Fun
- Skill Development & Learning
- Performance & Results
- Fair Play & Ethics
- Safe Sport & Respect
- Athlete Health (Physical & Mental)
- Participation & Inclusion
- Connection & Community Building
4 in 10
coaches could not identify what values make up a positive sport culture, without prompting
9 in 10
coaches agree that the 8 common sport values are important to their coaching
Coaching Values vs. Behaviours
82% believe sport culture is important to their coaching, however 20-30% report a discrepancy between their values and behaviours in practice
- Believe Athlete Health is important to their coaching 88%
- Consistently build Athlete Health into their coaching 61%
%
often ask about their athletes’ life and interests outside of sport
%
often discuss mental heath and provide support resources
%
yell when frustrated, openly criticize opponents and/or break league rules
Hazing, Initiation & Team Building
Most coaches recognize that hazing is a major issue in sport, but disagree on which behaviours qualify as hazing.
Hazing behaviours viewed positively by coaches
16%
Physical or sexual assault
18%
Deprivation of sleep, food or water
26%
Forced labour for new team members
44%
Physical tests
9 in 10
coaches believe that hazing is a serious issue in sport
4 in 10
coaches are aware of hazing within their organization or club
6 in 10
coaches experienced hazing personally, as an athlete
Parent & Guardian Relationships
45% of coaches report conflicts with athlete parents and/or guardians
Top 5 challenges working with parents & guardians
- Amount of playing time
- Parents & guardians ‘coaching over’ the coach
- Athlete attendance & commitment level
- Parents & guardians believing that their child is better than others
- Aggression & yelling
%
parents who believe their child can become a professional or high performance athlete, as observed by their coach
%
coaches do not hold any parent meetings throughout their season
Download the 2023 report
Read last year’s report!