
Ethics in coaching
10 September 2025Every time a coach makes a coaching decision, it involves a decision about how they are going to treat somebody else.
This short course highlights the many ethical dilemmas that coaches face and supports them to explore these decisions where purely right and wrong do not exist.
Historically, progress or performance in sport has at times been achieved at a cost of athlete or coach wellbeing. This online short course explores how we might be able to do coaching differently.
Coaching involves many decisions; from how we treat people, to selection, to balancing individual and group needs; to creating healthy boundaries for our own wellbeing.
Course ambitions
This course aims to:
- Explore what it means to be ethical.
- Recognise and unpack the ethical dilemmas coaches encounter.
- Support coaches to develop strategies to make ethical decisions.
Who is this for?
This course is designed for coaches at all levels and in all sports or domains. It is relevant whether you work with children, youth or adult athletes.
By encouraging a diverse group of coaches to participate, the course fosters a rich learning environment where varied perspectives deepen understanding and empathy.
Course structure
- Duration: 3 months
- Format: 6 x 90-minute sessions, held every two weeks
- Day / Time: Thursday 12.00pm – 1.30pm or 6:00pm – 7:30pm
- Dates: 22 January, 5 February, 19 February, 5 March, 19 March, 2 April
Session dates can be negotiated with the group to navigate commitments.
What to expect
- Engaging discussions, inquiry-driven learning and reflective exercises during sessions.
- A collaborative atmosphere where coaches are encouraged to share experiences and learn from one another.
Learner expectation
- Learners will do their very best to commit to attending the full course.
- In between sessions, learners will practically apply and experiment with what they have learnt in practice.
- Open minded and willing to explore different ways of doing things.
Cost
The course is £50 per person.
Swim England