Alberta Baton Twirling Association - Train Your Brain Pilot Project
The Train Your Brain Pilot Project, initiated by the Alberta Baton Twirling Association (ABTA), aimed to provide comprehensive Mental Health and Wellness support for athletes, coaches, and parents involved in baton twirling. The project utilized various resources, including webinars, seminars, mental health apps, sport psychology sessions, and mental wellness materials, to enhance awareness about mental health in the sport and implement strategies for creating a safe and supportive training environment.
Project Outcomes:
- Diverse Support Resources:
- Utilized sport psychologists and wellness experts to create materials, webinars, and seminars for members.
- Introduced mental health apps for coaches and athletes, offering a platform for athletes to anonymously share their mental health states with coaches.
- Enhanced Awareness and Learning:
- Raised awareness about the impact of mental health on athletic performance.
- Implemented plans to guide coaches, parents, and the organization in providing optimal support to athletes within a safe environment.
- Insights through HONE Mental Health App:
- Athletes and coaches used the HONE mental health app to track and share weekly insights on mental health anonymously.
- Coaches gained valuable insights into athletes' mental states and received expert advice on supporting athletes during training and competitions.
- Webinars on Key Topics:
- Conducted webinars featuring experts on various topics, including communication with coaches, emotion regulation, balancing sport and school, stress management, adversity in sport, goal setting, and addressing bullying in sport from different perspectives.
- Recognition and Achievement:
- Received the 2023 President's Cup Award from the National Federation, recognizing ABTA's innovative and exciting Train Your Brain Project at the Canadian Championships.
ABTA remains committed to utilizing the resources developed during the Train Your Brain Project. The organization plans to incorporate the project outcomes into its Club Handbook, ensuring that all clubs have access to valuable mental health information. ABTA will continue sharing mental health information with its members, funding club programs that prioritize athlete safety, and regularly reviewing and updating safe sport policies to foster a secure environment for athletes, coaches, and parents involved in baton twirling. The project's success has laid the foundation for ongoing efforts to support mental health and wellness within the baton twirling community in Alberta. Train your Brain Project resources can be found here.