Social Media Can Provide a Win for Teams of Teens

I’ve coached high school girls for five spring seasons now. It is the time of year that is filled with end-of-year tests, activities, award nights, dances, concerts and celebrations. Valid reasons challenge perfect attendance for practically every athlete. Each season, I’ve been fascinated to watch that no matter what other conflicts there might be, there is one day not a single player will miss. Media day.

We are blessed with the talent of a parent who is professional photographer, and we have certainly turned it into a thing unto itself. I admit I may never fully understand the growing importance of this day as the most important one for many of them, but I am willing to acknowledge what it means to them. They create fun poses with their friends, offer creative use of the equipment and will happily devote hours to the social-media-post-worthy photoshoot.

It speaks to what they value and informs what they collectively believe expresses their value to the world.

That’s why the presence and monitoring of social media accounts for high school teams is so important. And I might argue most particularly teams of girls. The boys I coached were never as concerned with the team’s social media presence.

Our girls’ team account is run by the leadership team, but I have full administrator access and monitor what they post there. The account highlights the best things about our team culture and the group works hard to give space for all the players to be seen throughout the season.

Benefits of Well-Run Team Social Media Accounts

• They provide public evidence that those pictured and highlighted belong to something bigger than themselves.
• If it reflects positive things about the team culture or environment, it will continue to feed that back to the group who most engages with it (which is oftentimes the players themselves)
• It documents the work of the collective and thus can inspire the commitment to work for the individuals.
• If it is a nice landing space online, it can create a better space in person as they engage in both the pictures that are posted and the pictures they are posing for.

Most people acknowledge the dangers and drama social media can create with groups of girls, but I have found that when utilized well, it can absolutely be a tool for good.