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Internal change agents' perspectives on the challenges for safer high performance sport
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DOI：10.1080/14413523.2026.2656079.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of coaches and administrators, as critical internal agents of change in high performance (HP) sport, regarding the features and challenges of moving from unsafe to safer sport in that context. Semi-structured interviews were completed in 2023 with 27 coaches and administrators of HP sport in Canada. These stakeholders characterized unsafe HP sport by a win at all costs focus, a coach-centered system where inappropriate behavior is tolerated and even rewarded, and an ineffective reporting process. These conditions are exacerbated by a perceived lack of accountability and ambiguity around reporting. Safe sport, in contrast, was characterized by open communication, mandatory and discretionary safe sport training, formalized processes, and third party/independent mechanisms. Importantly, the coaches and administrators, as agents of called-for change, described challenges that must be navigated to achieve safer sport, including the inherent risks of HP sport, different interpretations of what is un/safe, jurisdictional variations and limited capacity, in an environment characterized by resistance to change.
Keywords:
High performance sport
culture
coaches
administrators
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