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This study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of a coach-athlete relationship intervention program. The intervention targeted improvements in relationship quality and individual and team outcomes over time (i.e., thriving, basic psychological need satisfaction, and collective efficacy). Using a nonrandomized cluster-controlled trial design and mixed methods evaluation, 16 sports teams (45 coaches, 328 athletes) were assigned to an intervention or a no-training control condition. Following baseline assessments, intervention teams participated in two workshops, four weeks apart and coaches and athletes were encouraged to apply strategies taught during practice and complete bi-weekly diary logs. Follow-up assessments were completed at 4, 8 and 16 weeks post baseline. Focus groups were held after follow up to evaluate feasibility. Intervention effects were assessed using two-level growth models, with athletes nested within teams. Overall, no significant intervention effects were found over time for coaches or athletes' perceptions of relationship quality, or for athlete outcomes of thriving and collective efficacy. However, a significant decrease in relatedness was observed in athletes' basic psychological need satisfaction. Content analysis of focus group interviews highlighted participants' experiences of the intervention's relevance, delivery and implementation into sport practice. While participants emphasized the importance of the intervention's content, they also forwarded suggestions to improve delivery and transfer of skills into their daily sport practice. These insights shed light on potential reasons for the limited quantitative effects. While the current intervention did not produce significant effects, the study lays important groundwork for future research aiming to strengthen the coach-athlete relationship.

The notion of secure base explains how a child can grow and become independent through access to a significant other (i.e., parent) who is available, encouraging, and noninterfering. The purpose of the current study was to develop an understanding of parental secure base support within the context of youth sport in Sweden, with a specific focus on: (a) what parental behaviors constitute a secure base, and (b) how these behaviors differ across contexts (at home before and after sport, at practice and during competitions). An interpretive descriptive methodology (Thorne, 2016) was used. Interviews were conducted with 13 family triads (children aged 12–15 years) and 1 dyad living in Sweden. Analysis was conducted to illuminate associations, patterns, and relationships within the sample. Analysis led to the development of nine categories of parental behaviors that were perceived to underpin a secure base. Availability was seen to comprise physical presence and support provision, being responsive, and developing positive mental representations. Encouragement encompassed demonstrating that sport participation is valued, motivating to explore sporting endeavors, and reinforcing and rewarding persistence in sports. Interference was described as unrequested interference, requested interference, and intentionally constrained involvement. Additionally, influencing factors such as communication, family structure and culture, were identified. The findings provide an empirical illustration for several behaviors that have been perceived as positive in previous literature, as well as highlighting numerous further complexities, particularly as it relates to interference.