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Prof. dr. Audronė Dumčienė

Prof. dr. Audronė Dumčienė

Department of Physical and Social Education
Lithuanian Sports University

The beginnings of bullying usually lie in the family. Such experience is also acquired in schools. A child coming to his or her sports sessions may already bring bullying experience that he or she can successfully use among training friends if the coach does not prevent it in time and  sufficiently strictly. Often groups of “better athletes” are formed, who think that they are allowed to bully others using verbal or even physical means. Mobbing executed by such “better athletes” is often tolerated by coaches. Therefore, intolerance of mobbing, its prevention already in the initial stages of its manifestation in sports groups is a paramount task of the coach, no less important, and perhaps even more important than training of technique or tactics. In order to know the actual situation among learners, the coach should have informal conversations with each learner individually. This is an extra job for the coach, but the coach educates not only an athlete, but primarily a HUMAN.
I did not work as a coach, but I had several very good coaches. I did not notice any bullying among us.