‘Fun Facilitator’: A Key Character in Youth Sport Experiences
Delivering positive sporting experiences for young people calls upon a character we call 'The Fun Facilitator' who possesses 5 key traits:
Trait 1 = "Welcome to Disney World" 🏰
Trait 2 = "The Energizer Bunny" ⚡
Trait 3 = "The Sommelier" 🍷
Trait 4 = "The Pit Crew" 🏎
Trait 5 = "Lesley Knope" 👩
He/she/they are out there in the wild, if you find one be sure to catch them, clone them, and expose them to as many communities as you can!
‘Welcome to Disney World’
The Fun Facilitator is very intentional about the first impression participants have at the sport experience. Executed correctly, from the moment the participant enters the place they’re met with signals created by the facilitator saying “This is the most magical place on Earth”. These signals might include things like:
Being greeted with a high-five and a smile
Use of music
Equipment set-up creating a curiosity about what activities are to follow
Opportunities for unstructured play
Starting the session with a sense of fanfare: a clear whistle and summoning to huddle together
‘The Energizer Bunny’
This is a key trait of the best facilitators I encounter at all age levels, particularly for participants aged 10 and under. Being an Energizer Bunny means recognising that the facilitator is a key architect or inhibitor of an engaging sport experience. We need to capture attention and portray genuine excitement about the task at hand. After all if we don’t, who will!
Some coaches/facilitators find that the ‘stage presence’ and bringing the right level of energy doesn’t align with their personality. It’s important to remain authentic above all, and bring your version of the principles involved.
‘The Sommelier’
OK, so I can probably count the number of times I’ve dined at a restaurant with a sommelier on one hand, but I know what they do. The sommelier asks diners what they like, and uses their vast knowledge to pairs the right wine with their meal and preferences. Sometimes this means giving them what they know and like, sometimes it’s taking a educated risk on something you know they’ll enjoy but haven’t yet experienced.
Our Fun Facilitator is no different - their super-power is asking the right questions of participants, then using this information to frame the right experience for them.
According to Amanda Visek’s research, there are 84 different types of fun in youth sport - so the task of a coach/facilitator in catering to the needs of 10 or 20+ children is a challenging one. Which one do each of your participants want (or need) right now?
‘The Pit Crew’
A common source of boredom in youth sport experiences comes from the lecturing leader, who drains the energy from a potentially thriving session through either the length of their instructions or the frequency of their interjections.
Our Fun Facilitator needs to be like a Formula One pit crew member - seizing their moment to add value before the car drives off the tracks, without halting the car’s momentum. This is a skill that needs to be practised by facilitators and requires a strong understanding of when, why and how to intervene.
‘Lesley Knope’
Amy Poehler’s Parks and Recreation character Lesley Knope leads her Pawnee department with a blend of optimism, joy and accountability.
Too many coaches/facilitators view high standards and fun as mutually exclusive principles - this is not the case! The best of both worlds are achieved when we set and enforce clear boundaries whilst nurturing the opportunities for joy within the session.