KaMana Community
Athlete confidence is vital for both performance and longevity in sport.
Introduction
Athlete confidence is vital for both performance and longevity in sport. A confident athlete doesn’t just perform better; they enjoy sport more, stay motivated through challenges, and develop resilience that carries beyond the field.
For young athletes, building athlete confidence is not just about achieving results or winning medals. It’s about feeling safe to try their best and knowing that even if the outcome isn’t perfect, their effort and determination matter. Confidence allows them to dream big and take the steps needed to reach those goals, without fear of failure defining their self-worth.
Athletes’ Confidence and Body Image
Body image is a key piece of the confidence puzzle. Young athletes—especially girls—often face pressure about how their bodies look, not just how they perform. During adolescence, physical changes are normal, but they can make athletes feel self-conscious, leading them to compare themselves to teammates or media images. In fact, 90% of the girls we have worked with want to change something about their body and compare themselves to others. It is no surprise that low body confidence is one of the main reasons girls drop out of sport.
Low Confidence, Low Participation
Research from Dove and Nike shows that girls do not leave sport simply because they lose interest, but largely because of how they feel about their bodies. Many girls experience pressure to look a certain way, fear being judged by others, and become more self-conscious as their bodies change during puberty. When sporting environments focus too much on appearance or lack supportive coaching, this can lower confidence and increase the likelihood of dropping out. Overall, these findings highlight that body image and self-esteem play a major role in whether girls continue participating in sport.
The Parent-Athlete Connection
Adults (parents, guardians, and coaches) play a critical role in shaping young athletes’ confidence. In KaMana workshops, we repeatedly see how well-meaning comments can sometimes unintentionally create athlete body image concerns.
Even when these comments are not intended with harm, they can stay with a young person, causing them to question their appearance and abilities. Over time, this can undermine the confidence that sport should be building.
Real-Life Examples from Workshops
During our workshops, athletes often share stories that highlight just how sensitive they are to adult feedback. One young athlete described avoiding strength exercises because a coach had mentioned she looked “heavier” than her teammates. Another recalled how a parent’s offhand remark about dieting made them feel like they needed to be overly careful about what they ate, even when performing well in their sport.
These experiences highlight a crucial truth: athletes absorb more than just skill-based feedback from adults. They absorb messages about their bodies, their worth, and their potential. Athlete body image is shaped as much by the words of adults as it is by social pressures or media, which is why it’s essential for parents and coaches to be mindful of the impact of their language.
Building Athletes’ Confidence Through Your Words
Being Mindful of Your Influence
The good news is that parents and coaches can have a powerful positive impact. Awareness is the first step. Every word, gesture, or reaction sends a message to an athlete, whether about effort, skill, or appearance. By being intentional and supportive, adults can help young athletes feel safe, capable, and proud of their progress, rather than anxious about how they look.
Mindful support means focusing on effort instead of outcomes, celebrating growth and perseverance, asking open-ended questions about the athlete’s experience, and acknowledging feelings without judgment. It also means avoiding comparisons to teammates, steering clear of diet-related conversations, and resisting the urge to immediately “fix” challenges, so athletes feel heard and valued.
Practical Tips to Support Body-Positive Confidence
Here are some actionable strategies for parents and coaches:
Praise what bodies can do: Highlight skills, strength, and endurance rather than appearance. Celebrate milestones in performance and persistence.
Model healthy behaviours: Children learn from adults. Demonstrate a positive relationship with food, exercise, and your own body. Avoid criticising your own appearance in front of them.
Use inclusive, supportive language: Avoid comments about weight, shape, or uniform fit. Steer clear of casual comparisons between athletes.
Most importantly, compliment athletes on their personal qualities and remind them that who they are as a person matters far more than their achievements or appearance.
By consistently applying these strategies, adults can foster athlete confidence and help protect young athletes from body image challenges. Athletes learn that their value is not defined by medals or appearance, but by effort, perseverance, and personal growth.
Conclusion
Athlete confidence isn’t just about winning, it’s about developing resilient, self-assured athletes who can take on challenges both on and off the field. Body image struggles can undermine this confidence, but parents and coaches have the power to protect it through mindful words, a supportive presence, and intentional role modelling.
Your influence matters. By celebrating effort, modelling healthy behaviours, and providing consistent support, you can help young athletes feel proud of who they are and what they can achieve. Remember: you don’t need to be perfect, just present.
To learn more strategies for supporting young athletes’ confidence and athlete body image, we offer workshops specifically designed for parents and coaches. Contact us at hello@kamanacommunity.com to enquire. We also offer an online program about the menstrual cycle for parents, coaches, and teachers, this is available on our website.