SafeSport Releases First National Coaches Survey; What It Says

The U.S. Center for SafeSport has released its first National Coaches Survey, offering insight into the challenges, perspectives and experiences of coaches across sports and organizations.

The report, titled Building Safer Sport Together, surveyed nearly 3,500 coaches and instructors at the end of 2025. It examines issues related to abuse and misconduct, as well as coach satisfaction, burnout and the overall culture within sports organizations.

SafeSport said the survey is intended to strengthen the role of coaches in shaping safer sport environments and to help inform safeguarding efforts at both the national and international levels.

“This survey improves our collective understanding of the experiences of coaches so that we can better manage risks and focus on opportunities to create safer sport settings,” said Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, the organization’s chief executive officer and an Olympic gold medalist.

The findings build on the Center’s Athlete Culture & Climate Surveys conducted in 2020 and 2024 and are expected to inform discussions about athlete safety during the upcoming Winter Games.

According to the survey, 92% of coaches said coaching has had a positive impact on their lives, while 76% expressed confidence that concerns about athlete safety are appropriately addressed by their sport organizations.

At the same time, the survey highlighted ongoing concerns about misconduct and workplace culture. Forty-six percent of respondents reported experiencing verbal harassment or abuse while coaching. Among those, 56% said parents of athletes were the most common source.

Additionally, 46% of coaches said they were aware of other coaches shouting at athletes in a frightening, threatening or belittling manner within the past five years.

The report also identified structural challenges within sports organizations. About 35% of respondents said barriers to implementing and upholding athlete safety policies stem from communication gaps, concerns about fairness and a lack of trust.

April Holmes, a Paralympic gold medalist and board chair emeritus of the Center, said the findings underscore the importance of making safety a foundational part of sports culture.

“When we create cultures where safety is foundational rather than an afterthought, coaches are free to do what they do best: mentor, teach and inspire,” Holmes said. “Our commitment is to ensure that athlete safety and competitive success are complementary pillars of a healthy sporting environment.”

SafeSport said it will use the findings to guide future initiatives, including expanded education and training, increased stakeholder engagement and additional research ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The organization also plans to host follow-up sessions to further analyze the data and encourage dialogue across the sports community.

Founded in response to high-profile abuse cases, the Center serves as the nation’s independent authority on preventing and addressing abuse in Olympic and Paralympic sport. It establishes safety policies, investigates allegations of misconduct and provides education and compliance oversight for national governing bodies.

Officials said the survey reinforces the need for continued collaboration among coaches, organizations and athletes to create safer, more supportive environments at all levels of sport.