Creating positive peer dynamics

What we know  

Friendships motivate girls, especially teenagers, to participate in sport. But these relationships need to be kind and caring to keep girls playing sport. This is linked to ideas of ‘relational resilience’ and the ‘relational model’, which involve emotional support and resilience through relationships.  

Relationships of girls and boys are different from a very early age. Girls often have smaller, closer friendships. They talk more, share personal feelings and get a lot of emotional support from their friends. They are also more sensitive to their peers and can be upset or anxious if things go wrong.  

These peer relationships have a big influence on girls in sport. Friends in sport give girls a sense of belonging and help them feel good about themselves. But if girls don’t feel accepted or supported, they might quit sport. This is why it’s important to create sporting environments where peers cheer each other on, celebrate each other’s achievements, and support each other through challenges. Healthy relational support like this helps girls and women thrive in sport.  

Insights for coaches and officials  

Coaches and officials can support girls and women to participate in sport by focusing on positive team dynamics. Ways you can help achieve this are: 

• Coaches – support teenage girls to create positive relationships using the relational model. Work with them to build camaraderie, acceptance and belonging by emphasising inclusion, and supporting positive peer connections. Use practical strategies such as team building exercises (see Great teamwork in girls sport information page), rotating groups so teammates train with different peers, training that requires cooperation (like relays, problem solving), encouraging cross-skill mentoring, and highlighting teamwork. Model supportive communication and calm, respectful feedback, and deal quickly with issues like cliques or exclusion.  
• Officials – show teenagers what positive relationships look like by being friendly and supportive with others. This sets a good example and helps them understand how to treat their teammates.  

Source articles:  

A Review of Sex Differences in Peer Relationship Processes: Potential Trade-offs for the Emotional and Behavioral Development of Girls and Boys | Psychology bulletin, opens in a new tab 

Thriving through relationships | Current Opinion in Psychology, opens in a new tab  

Relational resilience | The Parent Guide to Resilience, opens in a new tab  

The influence of peer groups in organized sport on female adolescents' identity development | Psychology of Sport and Exercise, opens in a new tab 

Association between sports participation and resilience in school-attending students: a cross-sectional study | Frontiers in Psychology, opens in a new tab 

The Power of Relationships | Keep Girls in Sport, opens in a new tab  

Coaching girls in sport: What the research says, opens in a new tab | Active for Life