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My daughter does not want to use the shared changing room

Asked by BlueBike
2086 views 3 replies
The team are starting to use changing facilities more often at U12, but my daughter would rather arrive changed and leave without using them. Nobody is forcing her, but there is a bit of 'the team gets changed together' pressure from other adults. Should player choice simply come first here?

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VERIFIED COACH RESPONSE

UEFA B Coach

7v7 • 9v9 defending

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I would let her choice come first. If she is comfortable arriving ready and leaving without using the shared changing room, I would not turn changing together into a test of commitment to the team. At U12, players are becoming much more aware of privacy and their bodies. Different children will be comfortable with different arrangements. The club still needs clear safeguarding procedures for any changing facilities that are used, but there is no development benefit in pressuring a young player to change communally because adults think that is what teams do. You can build togetherness in a hundred other ways. I would also be careful about teammates teasing or questioning her choice. The coach can normalise it without making a big announcement: players use the facilities in the way the club permits and that they are comfortable with. Privacy should not need to be earned.

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION

Join the football discussion. 3 replies

D

DevonMegan

Community Member

At this age a little privacy sensitivity goes a long way. Making a big issue of it can create the embarrassment adults were trying to avoid.
D

daveonline82

Coach

We tell players the changing room is available within the club rules, not compulsory as a loyalty test.
B

BournemouthHarry

Parent

If she is comfortable arriving changed, I cannot see why 'team bonding' should override that.