Do the athletes in your program actually feel like they belong?

Belonging is more than team chemistry. It is a foundational part of the athlete experience and the first component of the BEYOND Player Development Framework.

In this episode, Edward Jones II begins a deeper breakdown of belonging and challenges coaches, athletic directors, administrators, and player development professionals to think intentionally about how athletes feel inside their programs.

Drawing from his experience at the University of Houston, the University of Kansas, Baylor University, and Beyond The Field, Edward explains why belonging matters and how easily athletes can become disconnected, especially during injuries, role changes, redshirt seasons, and the transition from being heavily recruited to becoming another member of the roster.

This episode focuses on two important reflection questions:

• How do you want athletes to feel when they are part of your program?

• Where in your program are athletes most likely to feel disconnected?

Edward also discusses why coaches and player development professionals cannot assume athletes know they are valued. Programs must identify the moments where disconnection is most likely to happen and intentionally reinforce belonging in those spaces.

Whether an athlete is a starter, injured, on the scout team, redshirting, or adjusting to a new environment, every athlete should understand that they have value within the program.

Belonging does not happen by accident.

It must be intentionally created, communicated, and reinforced.

This episode begins the Belonging portion of the BEYOND Player Development Framework, with more practical strategies coming in the next episode.

Developing People. Elevating Programs.

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