What were the main outcomes and decisions made during the project meeting, and how will these outcomes contribute to the development of the project?

Before the kick-off meeting in Dublin, the HerForm project team had met three times via Zoom to make preliminary decisions, particularly regarding desk research to be conducted by our research partners at German Sports University Cologne. During the Dublin meeting, the Research Work Package leads presented their desk research findings, which will inform our upcoming field research. As a group, we decided on the best methods for conducting focus groups with female athletes, considering different age groups. Additionally, we recognized the importance of engaging with professionals who support female athletes’ personal development, such as Player Development Managers, Coaches, and Parents, collectively referred to as the ‘entourage.’

Can you describe any specific strategies or initiatives that were agreed upon during the meeting to support the personal development of female athletes?

All HerForm project partners agreed on the importance of providing a private and safe environment for our focus groups to ensure athletes feel comfortable sharing their challenges. We discussed the psychological safety concerns female athletes face in high-performance environments and concluded that, where possible, it would be beneficial to remove them from these environments during our focus groups. Additionally, we emphasized the need to clearly communicate the scope of the project to our athletes to manage their expectations effectively.

How did the project meeting actively facilitate the collaboration and communication among the partner organizations?

The kick-off meeting reaffirmed the shared passion among all HerForm project partners for supporting female athletes. By the end of the two-day meeting, we were enthusiastic and motivated to commence the project. Each partner left with a clear understanding of the next steps and their respective deliverables, which will enhance our collaborative efforts moving forward.

How do the discussions and outcomes from the latest meeting align with the overall goals of the HerForm project, and what steps are planned next to ensure continued progress?

The kick-off meeting provided a comprehensive understanding of HerForm’s goals, expected deliverables, and upcoming work packages. As the project lead, I outlined the date for our next meeting and reminded all partners of the tasks they need to complete beforehand. This ensures that we stay on track and continue to make progress in supporting female athletes effectively.