Policy Analysis Paper – Curbing Violent Abuse by Coaches Against Athletes

Violent abuse of athletes, especially younger ones in sports academies and colleges, by
their coaches and trainers, is usually considered a necessary drilling or training to toughen them.
However, in an increasingly litigation-conscious society, concern is growing over the welfare and
safety of athletes in the hands of their so-called ‘caretakers,’ especially with widespread cases of
physical, verbal, emotional, and sexual abuse. Cases of neglect (medical attention, nutrition, and
proper accommodation), bullying, and financial exploitation have also been reported, leading to
physical and emotional trauma for victims and their families. This paper explores the background
of violent abuse of athletes by their coaches and potential implications to athletes and their
families, the reputation of organizations, and sports. It then proposes a policy change to address
the issue and explains why it will work and its potential effects on the industry.
Background of the Problem and Its Importance

Sports – soccer, basketball, track events, golf, Formula One – is one of the most unifying
events globally, bringing millions of people together and attracting billions of views online and
tens of billions of sponsorship funds. Major events – FIFA World Cup, NBA playoffs, and rugby
world cup – are the greatest attractions. For example, evidence suggests that over 3.5 million
people visited Qatar to attend the 2022 FIFA Cup, making it the 3 rd -highest attended World Cup
in the sports’ history. The average match attendance is estimated at 53,191 or 96.33% of stadium
occupation. The finals between France and Argentina in Lusail Stadium were watched by a
pulsating 88,966 spectators and another 1.5 billion globally (Inside FIFA, 2023). The entire event
is thought to have grossed over $7.5 billion in revenue, representing a $1 billion rise compared to
the 2018 World Cup hosted in Russia (Aljazeera, 2022).

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Despite the glitz and glamor, thrill, unity, and financial benefit associated with the FIFA
World Cup and other major sporting events, allegations of violent abuse of professional athletes
and amateurs by their coaches and trainers are threatening to tarnish the longstanding reputation
of certain sports. The violent abuse is divergent and includes physical abuse (kicking, punching,
or hitting), verbal abuse (using derogatory language, insulting, and yelling), emotional abuse
(controlling, humiliation, intimidation, threats, and manipulating), sexual abuse (unwanted
advances or sexual contact), neglect (failing to offer sufficient and appropriate medical attention,
nutrition, and care), bullying (spreading rumors, ridiculing, or exclusion), and financial
exploitation.
Multiple incidences of violence against athletes by coaches have been reported over the
years across different sports. For example, in February 2024, Kara Eaker, a two-time US
Olympic and All-American alternate during the Tokyo Olympics testified about emotional and
verbal abuse from their coach during a legislative hearing (Romboy, 2024). Kaker accused her
former coach of abuse during her college years at Utah University. She testified knowing several
athletes who underwent the same ordeal but were afraid to report for fear of reprisal and
retaliation. Another high-profile case of abuse was reported in 2022 and involved Katey Stone, a
long-serving Harvard University women’s ice hockey coach. About sixteen former players
accused Stone of making racially insensitive comments and body shaming them. The same year,
twenty-seven former Indiana State University players for the women’s soccer team accused Julie
Hanley, their former head coach, of emotional, verbal, and psychological abuse and trauma. This
forced Hanley to step down to pave the way for investigations (Anziedei et al., 2023). Abuse of
athletes is not only widespread among college or amateur players but also professionals. For

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example, Aussie Olympics coach Jamie Pittman has recently quit his post after shocking
allegations of sexual misconduct against female players emerged (Bugden, 2024).
Violence against athletes is an integral subject because of its impacts on the mental and
physical welfare of athletes, their performance during training and games, and their commitment
to the sport, which is often their career. Firstly, physical violence can result in injury, including
concussions, fractures, cuts, and bruises. It can also lead to chronic pain, denting athletes’ ability
to enjoy sports and perform at the highest level. Physical abuse can lead to impaired performance
and coordination and reduced bone and muscular strength. Moreover, psychological and
emotional abuse can result in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, low self-esteem,
and depression. The worst case scenario is often athletes quitting prematurely (pro players),
losing the motivation and psyche to pursue sports as a career (amateurs), losing their primary
source of income, and sinking into substance abuse to cope with their financial loss, pain, and
ridicule. Several reports from the media and empirical studies have shown a direct correlation
between violent abuse among young and pro athletes and negative outcomes. For example, a
recent self-reported questionnaire study has found physical and verbal abuse of athletes by their
coaches to be core predictors of motivation loss among amateurs (young athletes) to proceed
with the present sport (Yebe et al., 2019).

Policy Solution to Address the Issue

Admittedly, there are several laws and legislation (state and federal) that protect athletes
from potential violence from their trainers, coaches, staff, and organizations. The 1964 Civil
Rights Act is an excellent example that prohibits employers, including their leaders, from
abusing and discriminating against employees (such as players) based on their color, gender, sex,
age, sexual orientation, disability status, race/ethnicity, and other ethnographic factors. The

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problem is that most of these laws are “generic” and are not tailored to address abuse-related
issues in the sports industry. Another issue is that these laws are not comprehensive.
Therefore, my proposed policy will be comprehensive and tailored to addressing
‘violence against athletes by coaches/trainers/high-ranking officials’ within the organization. The
multifaceted policy focuses on seven key elements: (1) compulsory reporting, (2) background
checks, (3) education and training, (4) code of conduct, (5) whistle-blower safety, (6) support
services, and (7) monitoring and oversight. Compulsory reporting will require organizations to
report cases of abuse of athletes by their trainers, coaches, physiotherapists, and other individuals
involved in sports to relevant external authorities, specifically the US Center for Safe Sport
(USOPC). The second provision will require mandated background checks for all sports
personnel, trainers, and coaches before hiring followed by periodic evaluations. This should be
done by relevant authorities, such as the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National
Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Football League (NFL), and the Major
League Baseball (MLB).
The third provision will oblige sports personnel, coaches, and trainers to undergo
rigorous training and education on cultural awareness, pertinent coaching techniques, and
recognizing and preventing violence and abuse. This will empower sports personnel by
equipping them with the right skills to recognize, avoid, and prevent player abuse (Adami et al.,
2022). The fourth provision will oblige sports organizations or clubs to create and implement a
‘code of conduct’ for sports personnel, trainers, and coaches. The code of conduct outlines
acceptable behavior, the process of reporting abuse, and punishments for violations. The fifth
item will assure the protection of whistle-blowers who report incidences of abuse or policy
violations, guaranteeing non-retaliation and non-reprisals from the accused coaches or the

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organization. Item six will ensure that ‘support services,’ such as legal aid and counseling, are
available for victims (athletes) of abuse. The last provision will require organizations to establish
‘monitoring & oversight’ programs and mechanisms, ensuring compliance with the proposed
legislation/policy.
Why the New Sports Policy Will Work and Potential Impacts to the Industry
One primary reason the proposed policy will be effective is its comprehensiveness and
multi-pronged nature, which has been the key undoing of existing policies. It addresses various
core areas, including compulsory reporting, background checks, training & education, code of
conduct, protection of whistle-blowers, providing support to victims, and monitoring &
oversight. These seven items can contribute individually to the effectiveness of the policy. For
example, mandatory reporting ensures all abuse incidents are not ignored or overlooked,
resulting in quick responses to cases of abuse and protection of athletes. Background checks will
bar coaches and trainers with a history of violence from working with athletes. This can lower
the risk of sexual, psychological, or physical abuse. Training and education will equip coaches
with the right skills and expertise necessary to guarantee a safe environment for athletes. The
code of conduct will outline expected behavior and a model for resolving breaches. This can
ensure accountability. Protecting whistle-blowers, especially victims of violence, will provide
them room to heal, while protecting them from long-term implications, such as PTSD. At the
same time, oversight and monitoring will ensure that the policy is being implemented
accordingly and the complaints are being solved promptly.
Overall, this policy can benefit athletes, organizations, and the sports industry at large. It
will ensure athletes are shielded from abuse, their welfare and health are addressed, more
awareness is created more people come forward to report their cases, and a positive sporting

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culture founded on accountability, respect, and safety is established. This will improve the
physical, mental, and psychological well-being of athletes while enjoying the sports and keeping
them inspired to pursue a professional path in sports. For organizations, the policy can be a
haven from potential reputational damage, lawsuits, and financial losses.

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References

Adami, P. E., Bermon, S., Hartill, M., & Timpka, T. (2022). Prevention of abuse and harassment
in athletics and sports. Frontiers Media, SA.
Aljazeera. (2022). FIFA earns record $7.5 bn revenue for Qatar World Cup.
https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2022/11/20/fifa-revenue-hits-7-5b-for-current-world-
cup-period.
Anzidei, M., Zambito, T. C., & Ram, N. (2023, Mar. 23). Coaching abuse pervasive in pro,
college athletics: What’s being done to address it? Democrat & Chronicle.
https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2023/03/23/coaching-abuse-
pervasive-in-us-college-athletics-whats-being-done/70008637007/
Bugden, S. (2024, Apr. 17). Jamie Pittman: Aussie Olympics coach quits Paris games after
being accused of shocking sexual misconduct against female athletes. Daily Mail.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/olympics/article-13317343/Jamie-Pittman-Australian-
Olympics-boxing-coach-quits-Paris-Games-sexual-misconduct-female-fighters.html
Inside FIFA. (2023). One month on: 5 billion engage with the FIFA World Cup in Qatar 2022.
https://inside.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/news/one-month-on-5-
billion-engaged-with-the-fifa-world-cup-qatar-2022-tm
Romboy, D. (2024, Feb 13). Bill condemning abusive coaching draws emotional testimony from
ex-Utah gymnasts. Deseret News.
https://www.deseret.com/utah/2024/2/13/24071949/utah-gymnastics-coach-verbal-
emotional-abuse-legislature-condemn-resolution/

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Yabe, Y., Haigiwara, Y., Sekiguchi, T., Momma, H., Tsuchiya, M., Kuroki, K., Kanazawa, K.,
Koide, M., Itaya, N., Yoshiba, S., Sogi, Y., Yano, T., Itoi, E., & Nagatomi, R. (2019).
Verbal abuse from coaches Is associated with loss of motivation for the present sport in
young athletes: A cross-sectional study in Miyagi Prefecture. The Tohoku Journal of
Experimental Medicine, 248(2), 107-113. doi: 10.1620/tjem.248.107.