4-Week Virtual Training Course
Puberty & Teen Relationships on Mixed-Gender Teams
A step-by-step guide for sports coaches to confidently navigate puberty and teen relationships on a mixed-gender team.
Which issues do mixed-gender sports coaches still face?
- •Social stigma on discussing menstruation and puberty in general
- •Not being trained in sex-ed and gender sensitivity
- •Not understanding how to discuss relationships that develop between players and the impact on the overall team
- •Fear of speaking out on topics like this when they have not embodied it in their own lives
Why take this training?
“There is a male coach of a mixed-gender team in Chennai who had a 9-year-old girl at practice who got her first periods while on the field. Her shorts had a blood stain on them. She didn’t know what periods were because no one had ever told her. The coach never expected a 9-year-old to get her periods so early and doesn’t know what to do.”
“There is a female coach of a teenage mixed-gender team in Bangalore. Two of the players have a love failure. The team starts taking sides and one of the players is being excluded. The coach doesn’t know what to do.”
“There is a male coach of a mixed-gender team in a rural village of 6th, 7th and 8th standard players. One of the boys comes to him and tells him he is worried because all the other boys are growing taller and bigger but he isn’t. The coach doesn’t know what to say.”
By the end of this training, participants will be able to:
- Understand puberty and the developmental changes that occur in the body, mind and heart
- Respond more confidently to questions that youth players ask about puberty and relationships
- Create a more understanding, open and comfortable environment for those playing while having periods
- Learn sample dialogues for how to open conversations with players on these topics
Customization
Work with NGO leaders to understand which lessons are suited; NGOs can select whether lessons on consent or sex be included.
Shared experience
Interviews with veteran coaches and facilitators across India.
Open-minded, empathetic facilitators
Mindset of non-judgment; believe in educating on body development, respect, equality.
Course Format
- •Blended curriculum of pre-recorded videos, assignments and live sessions
- •English and Hindi language options
- •18 pre-recorded lessons + weekly assignments via Thinkific
- •Online support forum for coaches
- •2 hours/week of live sessions
Who is this training for?
A sports coach/facilitator not equipped to handle social aspects
A sports coach/facilitator struggling to make their team more gender-equal & inclusive
Coaches that have already been certified in Level 1: Building Strong Mixed-Gender Teams
Module Overview
Module 1: Puberty
- •Introduction
- •How our bodies & minds change
- •Menstruation & puberty
- •Nightfall & puberty
- •False stories about puberty
- •Playing with a pad
Module 2: Teen Relationships
- •Introduction
- •Attraction & teen relationships
- •Eve-teasing
- •Love failure
- •Consent
- •Sex
Module 3: Biological Sex & Gender
- •Biological Sex
- •Gender
- •Inclusion
Module 4: Talking with Parents
- •How to talk to parents about puberty
- •How to talk to parents about periods & sports
- •How to talk to parents about teen attraction & relationships
Our Team
Liz Haynes
Director & Facilitator
Liz, raised in the U.S., has lived, played and coached in India since 2013. She has a passion for developing sports and gender curriculum for young people.
Benoy Stephen
Program Manager & Facilitator
Benoy joined TS in 2017 as a Bridging the Gaps fellow and became passionate about breaking gender barriers. He co-founded Y-Ultimate, a young not-for-profit that uses ultimate frisbee to build life skills in children.
Rakesh Anandan
Facilitator
Rakesh is a volleyball player and fitness trainer who has facilitated thousands of classes of mixed-gender adults and young people. Since 2018, Rakesh has worked with Transformational Sports as a facilitator and curriculum builder.
Nimisha Vasava
Facilitator
Nimisha is an ultimate frisbee player and has represented India internationally six times as both a player and a coach. She began her journey with Transformational Sports in 2014.
Email team@transformationalsports.org to be part of our next cohort!
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