Strong Play. Strong Character.

Play Wise Consulting supports teenage and young adult athletes as they navigate the social realities of sport—team culture, digital behavior, consent, boundaries, and leadership.

We help individuals and teams build confidence, respect, and maturity that carries from the locker room to school, work, and life beyond sport.

Services

Workshop for teams where each session is designed to be practical, engaging, and directly relevant to the challenges young athletes face today.

Consent & Healthy Boundaries Education

  • Interactive workshops for teens and young adults on understanding consent.
  • Focus on prevention: reducing risks of misconduct, misunderstandings, and reputational harm.
  • Practical scenarios to build confidence in setting and respecting boundaries.

Locker Room Culture & Team Dynamics

  • Training sessions for athletes and coaches on fostering inclusive, respectful environments.
  • Addressing peer pressure, hazing, and power dynamics in team environments.
  • Building team culture rooted in trust, accountability, and respect.

Digital Ethics & Online Conduct

  • Guidance on responsible social media use and digital footprints.
  • Education on intimate messaging/images, privacy, and the long‑term consequences of online behaviour.
  • Strategies for athletes to protect their reputations and careers in the digital age.

Leadership Development for Young Athletes

  • Programs that cultivate leadership skills both on and off the field.
  • Emphasis on empathy, communication, and role‑model behaviour.
  • Preparing athletes to transition into college, university, and the workforce as confident leaders.

Resiliency Training

  • Helping athletes develop coping skills for stress, setbacks, and high‑pressure situations.
  • Encouraging mental toughness while promoting emotional well‑being.
  • Tools to bounce back stronger both on and off the field.

Shawn
McCarthy

Shawn McCarthy is the founder and lead consultant of Play Wise Consulting.

With nearly 20 years of experience in Manitoba’s justice system and over a decade delivering intervention and counselling programs, Shawn brings deep professional expertise to his work with young athletes and organizations. As a father of two teenage boys who play team sports — and a longtime youth coach himself — he understands firsthand the pressures young athletes face and believes prevention through education is not only possible, but essential.

Contact Us

Tell us a bit about your team or organization, and we’ll be in touch.

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