About

About SPKN

SPKN, the Sport Professional Knowledge Network, is a 501c3 non-profit organization that provides access to quality, research-backed, highly essential information and education for sport leaders. Our comprehensive suite of programs, including the SPKN Sport Knowledge Center, SPKN Academy, and SPKN Training Events. They are designed to transform ordinary coaches into extraordinary mentors. Our 6 Pillar Sport Leadership Development Framework emphasizes interdisciplinary growth, empowering coaches to prioritize athletes’ physical, mental and emotional well-being to help them win both on and off the field.

6 Pillars of Sports Leadership

WELL BEING &
PERFORMANCE

  • Stress & Anxiety Management
  • Performance Anxiety
  • Mental Health Disorders
  • Psychological Resilience
  • Identity
  • Burnout
  • Motivation
  • Psychological Skills Training
  • Focus & Attention
  • Values Goal Setting
  • Mindfulness
  • Mental Conditioning & Performance
  • Emotional Regulation

SOCIAL ISSUES
& ETHICS

  • Racism
  • Gender Inequity
  • LGBTQ+ Inclusion
  • Athlete Rights & Welfare
  • Women in Coaching
  • Economic Disparities and Accessibility
  • Political Activism in Sports
  • Cultural Sensitivity
  • Life Skill Development
  • Ethical Coaching Practices
  • Fair Play and Sportspersonship
  • Governance & Corruption
  • Whistleblowing

COMMUNICATION
& TEAM CULTURE

  • Coach/Athlete Relationship
  • Feedback & Cueing
  • Mirroring
  • Team & Group Meetings
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Coach/Parent Relationship
  • Media Relations & Public Speaking
  • Team Dynamics & Cohesion
  • Effective
  • Team Building
  • Leadership
  • Positive Team Environment
  • Inclusion
  • Community Engagement

SKILL & COACH
DEVELOPMENT

  • Motor Learning & Skill Acquisition
  • Pedagogical Methods in Coaching
  • Motivation
  • Feedback & Analysis
  • Athlete Development Models
  • Athlete Assessment & Evaluation
  • Cultural Coaching
  • Coach Philosophy
  • Mentoring
  • Leadership
  • Professionalism & Conduct
  • Self Reflection

NUTRITION
& PEDS

  • Pre and Post- Competition Eating
  • Macronutrients & Micronutrients
  • Hydration
  • Energy Management
  • Meal / Diet Planning
  • Responsible Weight Management
  • Eating Disorders
  • Sport Specific Nutrition
  • Recovery Nutrition
  • Immune Function
  • PED Regulation and Testing
  • Supplement Use
  • Legal Consequences

SPORTS SCIENCE
& TECH

  • Biomechanics
  • Kinesiology
  • Strength & Conditioning
  • Injury Prevention & Rehab
  • Wearable Tech
  • Video Analysis
  • Data Analytics & Performance Metrics
  • Biomechanical Analysis Tools
  • Communication Tech
  • Nutrition & Diet Apps
  • Conditioning Apps
  • Sensor Tech

Our Mission Statement

At SPKN, we are dedicated to elevating sport leadership by providing the knowledge and tools necessary to fully develop today’s athletes – mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Coaches play a critical role in shaping the lives of young athletes, often spending more time with them than any individual teacher during crucial developmental stages. Our goal is to bridge the significant deficiency in standard coaching education, ensuring that every coach is equipped to both enhance athletic performance and nurture well-rounded, healthy and resilient individuals.

Our Vision

To achieve transformational change for the whole human athlete.

Our Values

We believe that:      

  • At the core of superior and inspired sport performance is a balanced, fully developed athlete.
  • A better world of sport, led by integrity, diversity, equity, and inclusion, in all its practices, will make our athletes, and industry stronger.
  • Sport has the potential to affect positive change in the lives of individuals, communities, and societies when led by adults who have the ability to harness its power effectively.

How You Can Help

SPKN is a mission-driven non-profit organization inspired by a vision to give all sport industry professionals access to the high-quality professional development they need to develop the whole human athlete.

As such, SPKN is entirely dependent on the generosity of individual donors, corporations, and foundations. SPKN seeks financial support to help it dramatically increase its visibility among sport professionals and scholars, grow content, and deliver high-quality resources to everyone in the field, irrespective of financial means. The SPKN budget reflects our commitment as we invite you to invest in our mission. Please join us.

DONATE NOW

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