SupportHER Line
Every weekend, thousands of parents, coaches and supporters line the sidelines hoping to do one thing: encourage the girls they care about.
As part of the 2degrees SupportHER Club, we asked New Zealand girls what helps them feel confident, supported and motivated to keep playing sport - and what can unintentionally create pressure.
The Line was inspired by what they told us.
Learn where the line is
Helping girls stay in sport starts with the helpful words from the sideline
While every girl is different, the research uncovered clear themes about the kinds of support that build confidence, resilience and enjoyment, and the words that can sometimes have the opposite effect, despite the best intentions.
SupportHER Posters
To keep things simple we’ve curated the language into posters for you to put up in clubs, at home or wherever you feel support is cultivated.
The Four Foundations of encouragement for supporters of girls in sport
Clinical and performance psychologist Dom Vettise unpacks the psychology behind these insights and shares practical ideas to help parents, coaches and supporters turn good intentions into meaningful encouragement.
The Four Foundations:
- Help her feel safe
- Help her feel understood
- Build courageous actions
- Help her love sport
Foundation 1
Help her feel safe
Lead with encouragement, not instruction. Girls learn and perform best when they feel safe, supported and free to make mistakes.
Foundation 1
Practical takeaway for the parents/ guardians/ coaches/ teachers:
Try simple words that build confidence, like:
“You’ve got this.”
“I’m proud of your effort.”
“Love watching you play.”
The goal is to remind her she does not have to be perfect to belong.
Foundation 2
Help her feel understood
Every girl experiences support differently. Some like loud cheering, while others prefer quiet encouragement or space after the game.
Foundation 2
Practical takeaway for the parents/ guardians/ coaches/ teachers:
The best support starts with asking, not assuming:
“What helps you feel supported?”
“Do you want a tip from me?”
“Would you rather I cheer or stay quiet?”
When she feels understood, support feels more personal and builds trust.
Foundation 3
Build courageous actions
Mistakes are part of sport. What matters most is what happens next.
Foundation 3
Practical takeaway for the parents/ guardians/ coaches/ teachers:
Supportive words can help her move forward instead of getting stuck in the last moment. Try:
“Next play.”
“Keep going.”
“Trust yourself.”
Praise resilience, courage and effort, especially when things are not going her way.
Photo by Sonna Photography
Photo by Sonna Photography
Foundation 4
Help her love sport
Long-term participation is built on enjoyment, connection and belonging, not winning alone.
Foundation 4
Practical takeaway for the parents/ guardians/ coaches/ teachers:
After the game, focus on what made sport feel good:
“What was your best memory?”
“What did you learn?”
“Where did you show courage?”
The car ride home is a chance to keep sport feeling fun, positive and worth coming back to.
