The Centre’s Educating Character Through Sport: Principles and Practices of a Virtues-Based Framework sets out the place of character in sport and how character might be developed through sport. A central offering of the Framework is that intentional, planned, and positive character development through sport requires coaches of and with character. On this basis, the Framework advances the idea and practice of “character-based ethical coaching”, understanding that every sports coach is a role model and that every sports coach shapes the character of those they coach. The Framework complements The Jubilee Centre Framework for Character Education in Schools, from which much of the advice and guidance in this document is derived.
While the connection between sports, character, and coaching is not new, there are varied reasons why greater attention is needed to developing the whole athlete as well as to the ways in which participation in sports and sports coaching relates to character. A person-centred approach is central to the Framework. The Framework aims to position such an approach alongside the need to develop technically – indeed, it is posited that a virtues-based approach is likely to enhance technical performance and outcomes.
Setting out Building Blocks of Character Through Sport and a Character Caught, Taught, and Sought approach to developing character through sport, Educating Character Through Sport: Principles and Practices of a Virtues-Based Framework provides a resource for all those involved in and interested in sports participation and coaching, from grassroots to elite levels, and who wish to take a more intentional, planned, and conscious approach to developing the whole athlete within positive sporting communities and environments.