The Sport is for Every BODY campaign, developed by Sport Integrity Australia in partnership with The Embrace Collective, is a call to action for sporting clubs, coaches, parents and peers to challenge body shaming and foster body confidence in sport.
Why your words matter in sport
Picture this: A coach tells a young player they need to bulk up to be more competitive. The coach thinks they’re motivating the athlete, but unbeknownst to them, the player is already being bullied at school for being too slim. The comment reinforces feelings of shame and embarrassment, and the athlete starts hiding their body, overtraining, and developing unhealthy habits.
This example from the Coaching for body confidence - Your words matter video is a reminder that even well-intentioned feedback can have unintended consequences.
Body image issues are affecting young athletes across Australia. That’s why this campaign focusses on shifting the conversation and changing how we talk to young athletes. It’s about how we support them, and create environments where they feel safe, respected, and confident.
Olympians Melissa Wu and Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva are championing the campaign, sharing their own experiences and encouraging young athletes to treat their bodies with respect and kindness.
Simple actions that can make a big difference
Whether you're coaching a junior team or running a local club, you play a key role in shaping the culture of sport. The campaign offers practical resources to help you:
- respond to body shaming when it happens, whether it’s from players, parents or spectators.
- support young athletes who’ve been affected by harmful comments.
- build team culture around effort, attitude and respect, not appearance.
- create inclusive environments where athletes feel comfortable, from uniform choices to changeroom privacy.
Resources include conversation starters, posters, videos and tips tailored for coaches, clubs, parents and athletes.
Coaching for body confidence: What to say instead
Instead of: “You’ve lost weight—looking good!”
Try: “You’re moving really well—your consistent work’s paying off.”
Instead of: “You need to slim down to be faster.”
Try: “Let’s focus on building your speed, stamina and technique.”
Instead of: “You’re too big to play that position.”
Try: “Everybody has a role to play in this team. Let’s make the most of your skills.”
Instead of: “You should work on your body if you want to get better.”
Try: “Your technique and passion for the game are what makes you unstoppable.”
Zero tolerance on body shaming sounds like:
- “That’s not cool—everyone belongs here.”
- “We respect all bodies on this team.”
- “Let’s focus on effort, not appearance.”
Let’s make sport a place where Every BODY belongs
You don’t need to be an expert in body image to make a difference. Small changes like the language you use, the feedback you give, and the culture you promote, can have a big impact.
Explore the campaign and access the free resources below.
Let’s work together to build sporting environments that celebrate and support every child.
