Safe Sport Starts with Caring Coaching
with Dr. Colum Cronin
In a powerful episode of the ICK Podcast, Dr. Colum Cronin from Liverpool John Moores University joins Dr. Gary Hodgson to explore the vital role of care in creating safe sporting environments for children. The conversation highlights how safeguarding in sport must go beyond policies and procedures—it must be rooted in genuine, human relationships.
Redefining “Safe Sport”
Traditionally, “safe sport” has been associated with protecting children from harm—physical, emotional, or psychological. While this is essential, Dr. Cronin argues that true safety also involves creating environments where children feel valued, heard, and supported. This means moving from a mindset of protection to one of care.
He explains that coaches have a duty not just to prevent harm, but to actively foster well-being. This includes being attentive to children’s emotional needs, building trust, and creating a culture where every child feels they belong.
Caring as a Coaching Practice
Dr. Cronin introduces the idea of “caring coaching” as a deliberate, thoughtful practice. It’s not just about being nice—it’s about being present, consistent, and responsive. Coaches who care:
Take time to understand each child’s unique context
Listen actively and without judgment
Create space for children to express themselves
Model respectful, empathetic behaviour
This approach doesn’t mean lowering standards or avoiding challenge. In fact, caring coaches can still push athletes to grow—but they do so in a way that prioritises the child’s overall development and emotional safety.
The Power of Relationships
A recurring theme in the episode is the importance of relationships. Dr. Cronin emphasises that safe sport is relational—it’s built on the everyday interactions between coaches and athletes. When children feel genuinely cared for, they are more likely to stay engaged, take risks, and develop resilience.
He also highlights the role of peer relationships and the broader sporting community. Coaches should foster a team culture where kindness, inclusion, and mutual respect are the norm.
Final Thoughts
Dr. Colum Cronin’s message is clear: safeguarding is not just a checklist—it’s a way of being. By embracing a caring approach, coaches can create environments where children not only feel safe but also thrive.
Want to discover more of his work? You can follow Colum on Twitter
Contributor:
Dr. Colum Cronin
Colum is an academic member of staff at Liverpool John Moores University. He teaches on the BA Physical Education, BSc Sport Coaching and MSc. Coaching courses. On these courses, Colum shares his research, which predominantly explores how coaches can develop caring relationships with athletes. He is the coauthor of the book, Care in Sport Coaching, published by Routledge. Colum's other research interests include disability sport coaching and coach education. He is an associate editor of the academic journal Sports Coaching Review, and was recently awarded the AIESEP (International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education) Young Scholar of the Year Award 2019. He has worked with a number of sporting organisations such as the Football Association and UK Coaching.
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