Sports club prioritises trained coaches to support children’s well-being

A local sports club on Lolland-Falster is ensuring all its volunteer coaches complete formal training, reflecting a growing trend in Denmark’s sports associations, reports DR.

At TSG Toreby, over 100 coaches across gymnastics, volleyball, badminton, and floorball have now received certification. The club’s focus on education aligns with national data from Danmarks Idrætsforbund (Danish Sports Federation), which saw the number of trained coaches nearly double from 8,835 in 2023 to 15,927 in 2024.

For 17-year-old Sophie-Marie Dethlefsen Kok, a newly qualified assistant coach for the TSG Floorball Fighters children’s team, the training provided more than just technical skills. “Some children are more fragile than others,” she said. “You learn who needs extra attention.” She now checks in with players who seem upset, giving them space if needed but following up later.

A shift from playmate to authority

Sophie-Marie admitted it was initially challenging to command respect from players only slightly younger than herself. “I used to joke around a lot, but the training taught me to be more adult—to take off the ‘fun’ hat sometimes and speak with a serious face,” she explained.

Verner Westlund, 12, the team’s goalkeeper, welcomed the change. “It’s good if coaches are happy and kind—if they’re grumpy, no one wants to be here,” he said, though he confessed his teammates didn’t always listen to Sophie-Marie at first. “She used to play with us too much.”

“A safe space beyond home”

Sara Aimi Christensen, the club’s head coach and co-founder of the floorball team in 2015, emphasised that trained coaches create an environment where children thrive. “Kids today face different challenges than when I was young,” she said. “We need to be better at recognising when someone’s struggling.”

The club prioritises well-being over results, viewing the training hall as a “freedom zone” for children after school. “It’s a place to have fun, belong, and talk to adults about things they might not share at home,” Christensen added. “When they feel safe and happy, they stay in the sport longer.”