For Coaches

Body image is more than liking or disliking the way we look.

Body image is a combination of the thoughts, feelings, attitudes and beliefs that we have about our bodies, including our shape, size, weight, gender identity and the way our body functions. It may be felt somewhere on the spectrum of positive to negative, and one person may feel at different times more positive or more negative, or a combination of both. Body image is influenced by a complex combination of internal (e.g. biology, personality, temperament) and external (e.g. social, environmental) factors.

Concerns, distress or other negative experiences about our body weight, shape, size or aspects of our appearance. Negative body image can lead to preoccupations with our bodies and eating, which in turn can impact our physical and mental health.

Feeling satisfied, content and/or more positively towards our body weight, shape, size or appearance. Positive body image is linked to health-supporting behaviours and improved physical and mental health, across body sizes.

Thoughts, feelings and actions which are intentional and supportive of both our physical and psychological wellbeing at any one point in time. Feeling more empowered means that we are more “in charge of” how we feel about and in our bodies, and are more willing to take care of it in ways that feel right for us rather than what we are told it “should” look like.

Understanding the boundaries of your role in supporting body empowerment in your coaching environment; this includes support of swimmers, parents and all swimming staff.

Honestly acknowledging your own feelings towards bodies (your own, other people’s) and how they may influence your coaching.

Taking the time to really listen to swimmers – past and present – who are sharing their own experiences in the swimming setting.

Being prepared to take action – with support – by empowering yourself with knowledge and understanding about what can be more helpful and more harmful.

Establishing and reinforcing zero-tolerance policies towards any language about people’s bodies that may be impactful in negative and harmful ways.

Ensuring that your swimmers are regularly aware and reminded of your expectations towards body-related commentary and potentially harmful behaviours.

Taking prompt action if expectations or policies are not adhered to.

Keeping yourself accountable to your own expectations and broader standards of conduct expected of coaches, and offer a prompt and genuine apology if any language is used or actions taken that do not meet the standards set.

Taking Action:

If you notice one of your swimmers is experiencing body image concerns or distress:

Speak with the swimmer on their own, privately where possible.

Use curious, non-judgemental language which focussed on what you’ve noticed rather than how their body looks.

Listen well – this means believe what they are telling you and taking it seriously.

There’s no “fixing” or problem solving necessary, but you can offer support. Ask the swimmer what they need and their thoughts on how to address the issue they have brought to you.

If what the swimmer has shared with you is serious and/or you are concerned, seek permission to share a conversation confidentially with a parent, or a professional. You may be in a position to support the swimmer to share their concern with a parent, or another trusted adult (see Resources).

Follow up a conversation to see if anything further is needed.

Seek support yourself if you’re not sure what to do or say, or if a swimmer’s concerns have raised anything for you.

As a coach, you can collaborate with your swimmers to help them make (age-appropriate) independent decisions which can support them outside of the training environment by:

Supporting your swimmers and their families in accessing to up-to-date, evidence-based, age-appropriate nutrition education – this could either be by inviting an Accredited Sports Dietitian to your club or knowing where to find Sports Dietitians who work with swimmers.

Supporting your swimmers to listen to, and respond to appetite signals (hunger, fullness, satiety).

Discouraging your swimmers from following the advice of anyone who is not a nutrition professional, or who offers food-related advice that is not specifically for swimmers of their age and stage of development.

Listening out for “diet chat” (any language which casts foods as “good/bad/right/wrong”) and encourage critique of such messages.

Leading with a focus on physical and psychological wellbeing, supported by uplifting what swimmers’ bodies can do (functionality), rather than what they look like (appearance).

Encouraging food variety where possible, acknowledging that every person will have different food and eating preferences.

Promoting food and eating as serving many purposes – energy to support growth and performance, as well as enjoyment and many other individually meaningful purposes.

Actively celebrate body diversity in all its swimming forms, particularly if you are coaching Para or Disabled swimmers.

What we say, how we say it and the actions that follow can be impactful in both positive and negative ways. These are some starting points in emphasising the importance of supportive, consistent language and communication. You can sign up for a Coach’s Workshop for much more detail on this topic.

Wherever possible, refrain from commenting on a swimmer’s appearance at all. We are surrounded by appearance-based comments and we don’t need to add more voices.

Aim to pause, and reframe your comment to shift the focus from appearance to functionality (what the body does, rather than what it looks like).

Normalise and welcome conversations about body image and mental health.

Avoid making any comments about your own appearance, food or exercise habits.

Remind swimmers – on repeat – that all bodies are worthy of respect and care and aim to role model this yourself through language and communications.

Empower your Language across age groups:

You might also be interested in words to use with different age groups – we’ve developed a downloadable resource, which can support you in understanding what you can say, and why, suited to a coaching children, teens and adults.

 

Coaches can make an important contribution to swimmers’ body image by building safety in the training environment and building safety in relationships with swimmers.

Creating safety in environments and relationships is more than developing trust or being a nice person. It’s about investing time, energy and resources in understanding how to set a strong foundation of respect and mutuality so that WHEN (not if, WHEN) some trickier conversations or experiences show up, the situation can be traversed together, however imperfect it may be.

Feeling safer, perhaps ironically, means that people are MORE likely to take risks knowing and trusting that if something doesn’t work out, that their sense of belonging is not at stake. High performing individuals, and high performing teams are built through safety in relationships.

What does this look and sound like?

An accepting, inclusive, non-judgmental environment

Feeling included, valued and supported

An environment where any mental health “injury” is viewed equally as seriously as a physical injury

Disentangling worth and value from body shape, weight and size

Playing our part in ensuring that swimmers have access to support and resources via health professionals and other community supports (see Build Your Support Network)

Reduce or remove any focus on weight, shape, size or body composition

What does this look like in action?

Let swimmers know that you can support them by hearing any concerns (including body image concerns) that they have. Let them know that you will believe them and take them seriously.

Establish and reiterate clear expectations around language and behaviour for all people (swimmers, coaches, parents) which leads with respect, care and inclusivity.

Support the provision of swimming attire and uniforms that are comfortable and that fit the swimmer.

Ensure there are private changing spaces.

Advocate for or hire coaches of diverse body types and appearances.

Support and speak up for diversity of visual representations across websites, social media and imagery within the swimming environment.

Consider, and learn more about, the wide range of factors contributing to performance beyond weight, shape and body composition.

Eliminate weighing or body composition testing which does not meet the criteria for safe, appropriate and evidence-based physique monitoring (See Swimming Australia’s Environment and Language Guide for Discussing and Managing Physique)

You might also be interested in words to use with different age groups – we’ve developed a downloadable resource here which can support you in understanding what you can say, and why, suited to a coaching children, teens and adults.

Swimming Australia is committed to making our sport safe for all members of our swimming community, with the safety of children and young people in our sport being critical.

To ensure our accredited coaches are protected and understand the important role they play in creating a safe sport environment, it is essential that they understand the legal and ethical responsibilities they have in safeguarding their athletes, particularly children and young people.

The National Integrity Framework (NIF) is a set of rules that all members of our sport need to follow when it comes to their behaviour and conduct in swimming including obligations to report misconduct. Those rules are contained in the following policies.

In 2024, new Standards for Physique Assessment and Standards for Language and Communication were developed (soon to be available via the National Integrity Framework above). These standards offer clear guidelines regarding communications and actions specific to swimmers’ physique including shape, weight, size and body composition.

All coaches are welcome to learn more by signing up to a Coach Webinar.