Shaping the Future of Sport: Coach and Community Leader on Empowering Athletes, Fostering Inclusion, and Redefining Leadership

CAO’s Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench article series – November 2024

“I had coaches who made a positive impact on me – and I wanted to be able to do the same with others.”

By David Grossman

It’s a relatively easy task to be a coach – and especially as it pertains to amateur sport.

Some say so. Others have a different opinion.

To many, the perception of a coach is someone who should do whatever is required to help young people win medals, trophies, championships, boast supremacy and fit in with that exclusive category.

An alternative viewpoint focuses on a coach making the experience of participating in sport to be one of fun and enjoyment for young people. Opportunities could then escalate to a more serious level of competition.

Maybe there is a combination of both?

Not an easy topic for discussion with Sarah Gallsworthy – especially when the person chooses to dissect the role and objective of coaching a young group. It’s also a body of individuals who are getting that first experience, be it as an individual or in a team environment, where the emphasis is on physical exercise or adapting to a sport that appeals to them.

To be accurate, Gallsworthy – who teaches physical literacy in the Fitness and Health Promotion department at Toronto’s Seneca College – will tell you she is no perfectionist on the topic of coaching. However, she does, from her own experience as an athlete, a coach and an educator, know the ins and outs of the important responsibilities and duties.

“At a young age, it should never be focussed on winning,” said Gallsworthy in a clear and concise commentary. “It’s about learning, hard work, building relationships, improving skills and making sure that kids get a great experience.”

Gallsworthy was born in the Vancouver suburb of Langley. She studied and earned a coaching diploma from Douglas College and a degree in physical education from the University of Victoria. She also participated in a variety of sports at school. At the community level, her focus was on the track as a sprinter – but that didn’t last.

“It became all about win, win, win,” she said. “I was overwhelmed, there was so much pressure, and it simply wasn’t fun anymore. With coaching, some were supportive and encouraging. I thought I might be okay as a coach and tried it.”

Coaching, which has now encompassed some 35 years of her life, started in what she referred to as being an assistant to others. That came at the age of 14 while attending Brookswood Secondary. Still pondering her next move, Gallsworthy had interests in a teaching career. That changed at age 20.

“I had coaches who made a positive impact on me – and I wanted to be able to do the same with others,” said Gallsworthy, who has credentials under the National Coaching Certification Program. “There was a time when I was leaning to coaching high performance athletes who would go on to win. But that was also when I also saw a different perspective to guiding youngsters.

For Gallsworthy, who is an energetic, enthusiastic and inspirational person, coaching took on a whole new meaning.

“I was coaching competitive athletes, pushing the winning aspect and feeling like I owned them,” she said. “It was different. Maybe, arrogance set in on my part. I realized that young people in sport should be enjoying it – and building confidence. As coaches, we take an oath to do no harm, ensure kids are in safe places and pushing the values of active healthy living.”

Gallsworthy is being recognized this month in the popular series titled “Empowering Stories from Behind the Bench” launched by the Coaches Association of Ontario to shine the spotlight on individuals devoting time to improve the sport experience for young people.

Has coaching changed Gallsworthy for the better?

“Indeed, I’m more patient and the best gift for me is for kids to stay in sport,” she said. “Everyone wants to win, and there is a time for it. In sports, I believe it’s taking the time to trust the process, trust yourself as a coach and trust the young athletes. When ego gets in the way, it’s important to control it.

“Sports is the tool to empower kids – they have talent and can do many things,” she added. “Our sports system is in a sensitive spot now and there are high dropout rates. As a coach, I must make sure that sports are fun, builds friendships, confidence, there is equal playing time and there is encouragement to get better.”

Gallsworthy doesn’t see herself as a traditional coach. That’s a term which usually describes a person who tells an athlete what to do, examines, reviews, and then reacts with feedback on performance. Gallsworthy is more on the side of assisting and enhancing skills.

As a member of the LGBTQI2S community, Gallsworthy also believes that it’s not easy for a woman to coach.

“You’re not heard in a room with other male coaches,” she said. “I have nothing against men coaching, but there are very good female coaches, too, and as a woman you have to push harder to get the message across.”

Gallsworthy has a busy schedule that not only includes her role as a professor at Seneca, but also coaching commitments. Calling herself a master learning facilitator, she is involved with Sport for Life, High Five and the Coaches Association of Ontario.

She also finds time as a consultant with INclusion INcorporated, a Victoria, B.C.-based company that pushes the values of fun, skill development and social connection. It supports organizations with a variety of workshops in the areas of diversity and inclusion.

Barriers to programs, that also include amateur sport, can limit potential. As an advocate for awareness and inclusion to help others, Gallsworthy believes a sense of belonging and acceptance is critical in sport development for youngsters.

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David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 45+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.

“Everyone wants to win, and there is a time for it. In sports, I believe it’s taking the time to trust the process, trust yourself as a coach and trust the young athletes.”