In 2021, in collaboration with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association, the UW CLA launched CoachUp! Washington. The study aimed to measure the impact of an evidence-informed online coach education program through pre- and post-season data collected directly from student-athletes and coaches. Half the coaches took the course and the other half did not and results were compared. Support from the NFHS Foundation enabled sustained coordination including recruitment, course delivery, testing, analysis, and incentives for participation.
Study findings include:
- Athletes with trained coaches reported better mental health status and perceived fewer controlling coaching behaviors.
- Even short coaching courses have positive benefits for coaches and student-athletes if well-designed and evidence-informed.
- Training produced positive effects in domains most associated with harm prevention and athlete well-being.