In this final section we discuss the many relationships that you will develop in sport, how to manage them and communicate effectively. We have aligned this section with “Feeling” from our Performance model because it includes social connections, trust and communication.

Sport provides a unique and important platform to develop skills on working with others, how to communicate effectively, and how to build trust. Young athletes who play sports are better leaders and communicators, and better at developing relationships because of this.

Also unique to sport is the sense of community that it can create. You form strong emotional bonds with others when you work together for a common goal, or when you go through hardship and tough times together (such as a big loss). However, as an athlete, you will encounter a LOT of different people and different personalities. You will get along with some, and you won’t get along with others.

It would be great if you got along well with everyone on your team, coach, and all of your friends and family, all the time. But chances are… you don’t. This doesn’t mean that you have to be fighting with your teammates, coach and family, but it’s likely that you have arguments or disagreements from time to time. Or maybe there is one person in particular that you struggle to get along with.

In these circumstances, the key to ensuring that you can maintain a good relationship with that person, or group of people, is communication.

Let’s take a look at another example of miscommunication…

LET’S HEAR FROM LEON ON HIS EXPERIENCE WITH DIFFERENT RELATIONSHIPS:

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The Importance of Relationships