The role of a coach goes beyond just teaching the fundamentals of a sport. It’s about fostering an inclusive environment where every player can thrive.
This involves understanding and respecting the diverse backgrounds of each player and supporting them to grow both on and off the field.
Drawing on experience from community clubs, these inclusive strategies will help coaches better engage and support diverse teams and participants from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.
Understand the player's experience
Players with CALD backgrounds can come from all over the world, yet one thing they often have in common is the enthusiasm they bring to the game.
Douglas Jones, a coach at Centenary Stormers Football Club who trains multiple multicultural teams, says that recognising and harnessing this energy is key to building a cohesive team where all players feel valued.
"A lot of the kids in these teams are so passionate about the game. They give everything they've got, and that passion raises the whole team culture," Jones says.
Coaches should also be aware that for some players, structured club sport may be a completely new concept.
“While you might get players with different skill levels, for many, it’s their first year playing club sport, so they are not used to that environment, they're not used to the structure,” Jones added.
Simplify communication
To overcome language barriers, keep instructions as simple as possible and consider alternative ways of communicating.
Fellow Centenary Stormers football coach Saeed Ali structures sessions around teaching the basics to ensure new players can follow along.
"Keeping it simple allows the players to understand the field of play, their role, and what they need to do," Ali explains.
Meanwhile, Jones advises coaches to be mindful of non-verbal cues.
"If you can read their face and they're not getting it, it’s my obligation to stop talking and find a different way to explain,"
This can involve demonstrating techniques physically, finding alternative ways to say something or asking other players or adults to translate.
Build trust through genuine engagement
Establishing trust with players and their families is central to engaging participants from CALD communities.
"You have to walk the walk and not just talk. If you follow up your talk with action and show that you care about them and their welfare, they will start to trust you," Jones emphasises.
Engaging with families and showing interest in players' lives outside of sport can strengthen relationships, making players more receptive to support and coaching.
Foster team unity and cultural exchange
A form of inclusive coaching is creating opportunities for players to bond and learn from one another.
Queensland-based coach Duy Nguyen recommends organising informal team activities to bring players together outside of games.
This can also be a good opportunity to celebrate different cultural traditions and build a stronger and more united team.
"Organise a barbecue with halal sausages for the Muslim players, invite their families, and let them learn from each other," he suggests.
He also emphasises the importance of respecting and accommodating religious practices, such as Ramadan.
"We make sure that players who are fasting have enough energy to last the whole game, and we allow breaks during training sessions," Nguyen explains.
“I think that’s the beauty of a multicultural team; we learn so much about each other, and we respect each other that way.”
Encourage personal growth and life skills
The discipline required in sporting environments can also translate beyond the game.
Duy Nguyen factors this into his coaching to support players achieve personal growth.
"In life, you need to be prepared. Here, it's the same thing,” he says.
“I lay the foundations at the beginning of the season, the expectation for players to turn up on time and have the right uniform to play.
“I want the boys to understand the discipline that they need to achieve things not just in sports but also in their personal life at school and work."
This holistic approach to coaching helps players develop both on and off the field and is especially valued by parents.
Inclusive coaching is about more than just teaching the fundamentals of a sport. It's about understanding and respecting the diverse backgrounds of your players, fostering a team culture that values every individual, and helping each player grow both as an athlete and as a person.
By implementing these inclusive practices, coaches can create an environment where all players feel supported, understood, and motivated to succeed.