Mentorship Program at Blue Marlins

Why SportMeter?

At Blue Marlins in The Hague and Rotterdam, SportMeter’s Coach Module is used to give structured attention to the mental and social well-being of athletes.

"Blue Marlins has - happy and healthy - members as one of its three core goals. SportMeter makes this possible for us. It allows us to map our members' well-being and adjust where needed." — Lars Wouters, Blue Marlins Swimming Club

The module provides coaches and mentors with easy check-ins, insight into mental load, and a structured way to start conversations. This aligns with Swim Science Lab’s vision of bringing data-driven methods to swimming.

"As Swim Science Lab, we want to introduce data-driven working to swimming. Based on data analysis and scientific insights, we aim to develop swimming at both amateur and professional levels. This applies not only to physical parameters but also to mental factors." — Wouter Arnoldus, Swim Science Lab

How It’s Applied in Swimming

The pilot promotes professional behaviour among athletes and coaches, where mental check-ins are as important as physical check-ins.

• Kick-off (Month 1): One-on-one conversation between athlete and coach.
• Weekly Check-ins (Friday after training): Short questions on well-being, enjoyment, team spirit, and development (max. 5 minutes).
• Coaches monitor via the tool and hold ad-hoc conversations if notable responses arise. They refer athletes to trainers or specialists if needed and support them in balancing school/work, sport, and private life.

Impact

This approach creates a positive sports climate where athletes feel heard and seen, allowing both mental and physical growth. Mentors and coaches can detect early signals, adjust guidance, and strengthen team cohesion.

"Well-being and enjoyment are the foundation for every athlete. Without that foundation, you simply cannot work toward other goals." — Lars Wouters

Additionally, Wouter Arnoldus of Swim Science Lab notes:
"A healthy body and a healthy mind are both essential for sport enjoyment and performance. We believe mental health is often overlooked and want to focus on it."

Call to Clubs

Want a stronger and more human sports climate? With weekly mental check-ins, mentor support, and dashboards, you can let athlete well-being and performance go hand in hand.

Ask ChatGPT