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New report finds 50 per cent of youth athletes in Ontario say their coach is the adult they trust the most in their lives, yet hazing remains a widespread issue
New report finds 50 per cent of youth athletes in Ontario say their coach is the adult they trust...
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[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\nNew report finds 50 per cent of youth athletes in Ontario say their coach is the adult they trust the most in their lives, yet hazing remains a widespread issue\n\n/* Style Definitions */\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n.prntac{\nTEXT-ALIGN: CENTER\n}\n\n\n\n\n\nCanada NewsWire\n\n\nFor the first time, the 2025 Ontario Coaching Report offers a holistic 360-degree perspective with coaches, athletes and parents included\nTORONTO, Nov. 25, 2025 /CNW/ - The Coaches Association of Ontario (CAO), in collaboration with Hydro One Inc. (Hydro One), released the 2025 Ontario Coaching Report today, shedding light on the current state of sport culture and coaching practices across the province. The report reveals that Ontario coaches remain the cornerstone of a positive sport culture, trusted by athletes, respected by parents, and deeply committed to safe, inclusive sport.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHowever, the report identifies concerning trends that put this positive culture at risk, including rising rates of hazing and widespread support for early sport specialization, both of which run counter to the Long-Term Participant Development (LTPD) framework recommendation that was implemented as part of the 2012 Canadian Sport Policy.\nKey findings in the report include:\nCoaches are trusted and influential: One in two athletes says their coach is the adult they trust the most outside their parents or guardians.Hazing remains widespread: 90 per cent of coaches, athletes and parents agree hazing is a problem, yet only two in five coaches say they always intervene when it occurs. Hazing rates increase with athlete age and are highest in school sports.Early specialization persists: Half of all coaches, athletes, and parents believe it is appropriate to specialize in one sport before age 12, years earlier than the national sport system recommends.Coaches overestimate connection: While most coaches believe they communicate well with their athletes, fewer than one in five athletes say their coach regularly checks in about mental health or personal challenges.The 2025 edition of the report marks the first time that coac...