In order to build a foundation for positive social connection, think about your team culture. Talk about what you’re hoping to achieve & how you plan to get there. Your vision should have clear, positive outcomes.

Emphasize the importance of relationships & having fun together. Integrate unstructured social time into practices, etc. to allow team members to build social connections. Social connection needs to be emphasized before performance.

Participants are welcome to offer input too as this will increase buy-in. Be sure to acknowledge their opinions & treat them as a serious consideration in your decision making. If you make them feel like it’s their program too, they will be more invested in making their ideas happen & seeing it through. When you ask team members for opinions, thoughts, contributions, etc. but don’t make an effort to try to implement, it sends a negative message.

Where possible, connect with parents & guardians to explain their role in supporting team culture. Adults are expected to be supporters, not sideline coaches. They should praise their girls for taking risks, which is an empowering way to frame goal-setting. Remind parents to emphasize what participants did well & remind each girl that their potential is undefined if they are willing to keep learning & trying.