The following guide acts as a really useful tool for parents to help champion a positive body image with our sporting children.
Communication
Use language and words that build and nurture body confidence through empathetic and informed communication.
PARENTS & SUPPORTERS CALL TO ACTION
- Encourage athletes to have other things outside of their sport that gives them body
confidence and makes them feel connected to their bodies. - Create a space for conversations about navigating challenging body commentary.
- Call out body shaming when you hear or see it.
- Offer support to those who have experienced the negative effects of body commentary.
- Refrain from comments or words comparing former athletes’ bodies to their former
athletic body shape, weight or appearance, or to a sporting body ideal. - Engage in ongoing education about how different bodies show up in sport, including but
not limited to bodies with differing identities relating to ethnicity, gender, religion, cultural
background, sexuality, ability, education, age and body size.
Focus on Wellbeing
Prioritise mental and physical health ahead of performance indicators, and not focusing on body weight, shape or size.
PARENTS & SUPPORTERS CALL TO ACTION
- Encourage athletes to feel good about their bodies outside of their weight and shape.
- Avoid commenting on weight, shape, and appearance of athlete bodies, especially as they
The Body Confident Sport Guidelines (BCSGs) have been developed to champion body confidence in
sport and are for use by athletes, dancers, coaches, parents, supporters, sporting clubs, dance schools,
sports administrators and sports media. - These guidelines are intended to encourage safety, body diversity and inclusion, whilst preventing and protecting athletes from psychological and physical
harm.
The full guidelines can be found at bodyconfidentcollective.org/sport-guidelines
Food First
Promote nourishing and fuelling the body with food which meets energy demands and discouraging unnecessary supplement use.
PARENTS & SUPPORTERS CALL TO ACTION
- Support athletes to have a positive relationship with food by encouraging a wide variety of
foods that provide nourishment, energy and enjoyment. - Avoid using supplements around athletes.
- Encourage a variety of macronutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins) from a variety of food
sources to fuel the body and its individuals sporting needs. - Prioritise the use of food over supplement use.
Flexible Uniforms & Equipment
Provide a choice and variety of clothing, uniform and equipment options that are size and shape inclusive.
PARENTS & SUPPORTERS CALL TO ACTION
- Have discussions with athletes about how they feel in their uniform and help to advocate
for options and flexibility. - Support athletes with the knowledge that they have options to feel good about their body.
- Become aware of the types of sizes and options available for sports uniforms and thinking
critically about how it can be improved. - Consider allowing flexibility in what athletes wear and encouraging them to wear what
they feel comfortable in, in a way that follows colour guidelines to represent the team. - Avoid talking about your own weight and remove scales from places where they can
access them. - Provide support when an athlete might have become focused or worried about their
weight and shape. - Celebrate body diversity in athletes and people in sport.
- Emphasise the messaging that different bodies perform best at different sizes and shapes.
develop in adolescence.
Culture
Provide a sporting environment, team and club culture that is as welcoming, safe and inclusive as possible
PARENTS & SUPPORTERS CALL TO ACTION
- Discuss experiences and frustrations with sporting life that are peripheral to, but influence,
performance. - Be an ally and advocate for those who need additional environmental changes in their
sports by amplifying their voices. - Consider the needs of others, and advocate for the environmental access needs.
- Create safe and welcoming physical and psychological environment that meets access
needs. - Create inclusive team, club and sport culture.
The Body Confident Sport Guidelines (BCSGs) have been developed to champion body confidence in
sport and are for use by athletes, dancers, coaches, parents, supporters, sporting clubs, dance schools,
sports administrators and sports media.
These guidelines are intended to encourage safety, body diversity and inclusion, whilst preventing and protecting athletes from psychological and physical harm. The full guidelines can be found at bodyconfidentcollective.org/sport-guidelines
