Recognizing Women in Coaching Initiatives

The Women in Coaching program would like to recognize the leadership of sport organizations who have developed new opportunities for women in coaching in their sports.

Athletics Canada

Athletics Canada believes that in the best mix of teams and workplace environments, women and men work together to create a climate for success. Consequently, the association is committed to increasing its pool of eligible women for high performance roles.

Since 2007, the number of female coaches on national teams has risen from seven women on 11 teams in 2007 and eight women on nine teams in 2008 to 14 women on 12 teams in 2009. Also in 2009, women accounted for 29% of coaches on Athletics Canada’s national teams. In 2010, Carla Nicholls was named Associate Head Coach of the world junior championships team slated for Moncton, N.B., in July. Also on that team are coaches Heather Henniger and Molly Killingbeck. Two women are slated to be appointed to the coaching staff for the 2010 Summer Youth Olympic Games to be held in Singapore in August.

In 2007, Athletics Canada appointed Nicholls chair of its Women in Coaching program. Her initiatives include connecting female coaches through regular emails and hosting socials at national and Canadian Interuniversity Sport championships, both of which have been successful in breaking down barriers and building networks.

Through to 2012, Athletics Canada has integrated many Women in Coaching initiatives into its Strategic Plan with a supporting budget to maintain the program. A key component of the plan is the stated commitment to increase the number of paid professional coaches and Athletics Canada has hired five Event Group Coaches — Nicholls for combined events, jumps and hurdles, Killingbeck and Glenroy Gilbert for sprints and relays, Brent Fougner for endurance, and Larry Stienke for throws — to lead Canada’s talented athletes in specific event group areas. The goal of this initiative is to increase the number of medals won at world championships and Olympic Games.

Guided by Own the Podium, the plan commits Athletics Canada to identifying, developing, and promoting junior talent in preparation for the 2016 and 2020 Olympic Games, with a female coach holding another head coach position.

Joanne Mortimore, CEO of Athletics Canada, led a North American Central American Caribbean (NACAC) region [(of the International Association of Athletics Federations] initiative, consisting of a conference attended by 27 countries, that aimed at targeting female leaders and creating a plan focusing on building a network and communication, unleashing the tiger (getting more women in leadership positions); and creating tools for capacity building.

Because of these and other initiatives, in 2009 Athletics Canada was awarded the prestigious Sheila Robertson Award, presented by Coaches of Canada to a sport organization that “demonstrates a consistent approach in valuing and recognizing the role of the coach within the organization, the media, and the public”.

At the upcoming world junior championships, each participating country has been invited to a sport breakfast hosted by Athletics Canada. The aim is to bring together female coaches and leaders from all over the world and to learn from each other. The breakfast will build on the Women in Coaching socials that have proven so successful within Canada.

Further, Athletics Canada and NACAC have teamed up to host a World Coaching Education session during the championships. Presenters from all over the world will speak on the topic of bringing junior athletes up to high performance international success as senior athletes. Canada has been allotted 20 invitations of which seven will be allotted to female coaches, who are also being invited to the sport breakfast.

Another innovative initiative aims to connect Women in Coaching leaders from other countries in order to improve the situation within the sport at a world level. Brenda Van Tighem, who has succeeded Nicholls as Women in Coaching chair, and Donna Harris, the manager of coaching education, will attend a NACAC conference in July to begin the work.

Rugby Canada

Women’s rugby is on the rise and nowhere more than in Canada. In 2007, on the heels of the highly successful Women’s World Cup, staged in Edmonton in 2006, the International Rugby Board convened an international conference in London, England, to discuss how best to move the women’s game forward.

Delegate Eva Havaris, Rugby Canada’s manager of rugby development and associate director of women’s rugby, said that “the real potential of Canada to be the world leader in women’s rugby became evident at the conference. Because our game is an integral component of Rugby Canada’s organizational structure, Canada enjoys an advantage over other rugby nations, many of which operate separate but affiliated entities for men and women, leaving women to scramble for resources. In Canada, our culture and our leadership support and promote the women’s game.”

To tap into this potential, Havaris realized that it was essential for Rugby Canada to develop a solid business plan and structure that would unify the country and really let the game explode. With an estimated 30,000 girls already playing rugby, “the game is huge and will only get bigger — under the right conditions,” she says.

Rugby’s appeal to Canadian girls and women is traceable to several unique factors. It is the only contact sport for women and the only game for all shapes and sizes. Being “a game for everyone” is a huge selling point, particularly at the high school and club levels, because participation for all is a major focus of Canadian sport. Also significant is the success of the senior national team, currently ranked fourth in the world on the strength of its placing in 2006. Canada was a try (touchdown) away from contesting the gold medal game, which was won by New Zealand. (England wound up in second spot and France finished in third.)

Inspired by her learnings at the London conference, Havaris convened a Women in Rugby planning workshop in April 2008 to analyze all aspects of women’s involvement in the game in Canada, come up with a collective vision and strategic direction, define clear actions, and raise the profile, all over the following 18 months. Also considered were key trends in world rugby and their relevance to Canada; development, participation, and competition models; trends, issues, and implications that Rugby Canada must consider in shaping the business plan; growing the National Women’s League; a competition calendar and clear development pathways for athletes, coaches, and referees; and how to complete the business plan and achieve outcomes. “It was also essential to ensure that the necessary resources and support are in place ahead of our campaign at the inaugural World Cup for 7’s in 2009 in Dubai, and for the 2010 World Cup,” says Havaris.

“By developing a business plan to guide women’s rugby over the next four years, everyone will know what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and what the value is,” she says, adding that Rugby Canada is willing to “take the necessary risks to capitalize on the unique attributes of the women’s game.”

It’s full steam ahead as far as Havaris and her Rugby Canada colleagues are concerned. Only weeks after the workshop, several components of the plan were operational. In order to showcase the game in Canada, a U-20 Nations Cup, pitting Canada against England and Wales, took place in Oakville, Ont., last July and was a first for that age group. The National Women’s League, now in its second year of operation, is being developed, both as an elite league for Canadian players and as a magnet to attract top players from around the world. As Havaris notes, Canada leads in terms of having women playing the game, coaching, and refereeing, and in providing the necessary support systems. “Now we’re grabbing the initiative and pushing the women’s game to the forefront.”

Note: For more information about the Business Plan, contact Eva Havaris: 905-780-8998, ext. 224; ehavaris@rugbycanada.ca

Rowing Canada Aviron

Over a decade ago, Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) adopted a consistent, systematic strategy to developing high performance women coaches. The previous approach, which focused on developing one woman coach at a time, was not paying dividends. “You can’t just invest in one coach; you need a group,” says Carolyn Trono, RCA’s director of coach development.

Another problem was meeting the Canada Games requirement that all coaches hold Level 3 of the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP). “We were always asking for exemptions and that told me that both the RCA and provincial rowing association strategies for developing women coaches were not working,” says Trono.

Guided by Trono, RCA began to remedy both situations by investing in a number of coaches in its domestic program. The goal was to have all of the Canada Games women coaches fully certified at Level 3 and by the time the 2005 Canada Summer Games rolled around, eight of nine provinces reported success, up from six out of nine in previous years. “It was quite an accomplishment,” says Trono.

One initiative involved the Manitoba Rowing Association (MRA). A pilot project, supported by the MRA, RCA, and the province, provided eight women coaches with resources and activities aimed at ensuring their long-term coaching involvement. Trono reports that six are coaching at various levels, from recreational to competitive. The pilot, she says, provides RCA with a template that can be used across the country.

Another initiative, launched in 2006, targets Atlantic Canada, where development is hindered by coaches leaving the region. Each province selected several women coaches, who then identified the areas requiring more knowledge and expertise. In response, RCA offered a tailored training camp led by Carol Love, RowOntario’s vice-president of coach/athlete development and the head coach of Trent University’s varsity program and the Peterborough Rowing Club. “We are confident that the region will benefit tremendously from this initiative,” says Trono. “All of the women are now progressing through the NCCP, and by 2009, each province will have at least one coach fully certified at Level 3 with another group working their way through the program. In other words, the next stage of women coaches is being developed in each province.”

Sheilagh Croxon, the Coaching Association of Canada’s (CAC) Women in Coaching consultant, applauds Love’s involvement. “Carol is an experienced coach who left the sport to raise her family and has now come back. She is the kind of individual who is ideally suited to mentor young coaches. Involving her in the training of the Atlantic region’s coaches provides a role model and a mentor on many levels.”

At the high performance level, RCA has been fully supportive of lightweight women’s coach Laryssa Biesenthal’s determination to return to coaching after the birth in December 2006 of her daughter (http://www.coach.ca/WOMEN/e/journal/april2007/index.htm). Together they worked out a flexible arrangement that meets her family’s needs and enables her and her athletes to concentrate on Olympic qualification preparation. Other national-calibre coaches are in the wings, including up-and-comer Michelle Darvill, and Carol Love. “We are starting small and building,” says Trono.

Trono credits former RCA president Justin Fryer with creating the current supportive environment. “He really pushed women in coaching issues,” she says. Other pluses are board willingness and RCA’s belief in partnerships. “We match our CAC funding and ask the provinces and clubs to contribute, too. When everybody buys in, building the mass is taken more seriously. It is also important to have a specific, measurable goal and in our case, it’s to have fully certified Level 3 women coaches at the Canada Games.”

Rhythmic Gymnastics Alberta

Practising adaptability and flexibility, Rhythmic Gymnastics Alberta (RGA) has met head-on the challenge of including new mothers as coaches, judges, and members of its board of directors. What is required, says executive director Diane Gunn, is acceptance of new mothers and patience with the demands of the babies. This became essential when the small organization found itself with seven tiny babies all at the same time. “If we wanted to keep our most productive people active — and we definitely did — we didn’t have any option but to find solutions.”

Gunn notes that by enabling RGA coaches to remain in the gym with their babies, they become an inspiration to the coming generation of potential coaches on how to balance work and life. RGA also welcomes babies to its board meetings, sending a clear message that it is possible to combine the early stages of motherhood with continued service. “At a recent meeting we had five babies under the age of two, but with a few grandparents and fathers to help with childcare, we got through the agenda,” says Gunn.

“I never felt that having children present was a hindrance” … [at board or committee meetings]. “My club never blinked an eye when I returned to coaching two-and-a-half months after having my baby. He was in a sling or baby carrier as I coached.” — June Sasno, current marketing chairperson and coach

“I remember how many babysitters I had to help me at board meetings so now that I no longer bring my children to meetings, I try to help out the others who have young children.” — Carrie Kause, a past board member and current head coach of a rhythmics club

“There is huge support for us as board members.” — Sonya Golly-Jahn, a current boardperson and coach

In the case of nursing judges, child care becomes the requirement, and RGA tries to be as supportive as possible, given its budget realities.

Gaining acceptance for new mothers and babies requires honesty and communication. “RGA is absolutely upfront about the needs and obligations of each position, whether coach, judge, or board member, and deals with situations as they arise,” says Gunn. RGA also recognizes that in some situations, having one or more babies present can be an unacceptable distraction. It’s a case, she says, of learning from each experience and then making the necessary adaptations.

Gunn acknowledges that it may be easier for a small organization such as RGA to accommodate small children, but nevertheless, the approach shows that it can indeed be done, and with results that benefit the organization and all of its members.

Cross Country Canada

Cross Country Canada has a strong and vibrant Women’s Committee with a history of promoting the advancement, inclusion, and participation of women in all aspects of cross country skiing. In 2002, Cross Country Canada hosted its 6th Annual Women’s Workshop with the support of the Women in Coaching program of the Coaching Association of Canada.

The workshop focused on building relationships by having the women coaches ski into the location, prepare meals together, and participate in numerous network building activities in the two-day schedule.

This atmosphere created a unique level of trust and camaraderie which led to an environment which was more conducive to learning and sharing. Offering learning opportunities for women only allows the coaches to feel free to express themselves and ask questions that they may not be comfortable asking in a mixed environment for fear that they are exposing inadequacies. This workshop was successful in teaching new techniques, sharing new workout ideas, and sharing information on coaching opportunities for women in cross country skiing while strengthening the network of women coaches in the sport across Canada. (Download a pdf version, 2 pages, 279 KB)

Canadian Lacrosse Association

The CLA is committed to the growth of Women’s Field Lacrosse. The Association understands the importance of involving women in the roles that will support that growth.

In order to handle the anticipated expansion of their Women’s Field Lacrosse program, the CLA saw a need for qualified women coaches in this sector of their sport. The CLA realized there was a shortage of women NCCP Course Conductors (CCs) in Women’s Field Lacrosse and took steps to make the necessary changes to remedy this.

In 2002, the CLA, with the support of CAC’s Women in Coaching program, trained seven women Course Conductors in Women’s Field Lacrosse. These CCs represent five provinces and are now qualified to go back to their respective provinces and deliver Level 1 Technical courses for Women’s Field Lacrosse.

This professional development opportunity for coaches will have a positive impact on the number of certified women coaching in Women’s Field Lacrosse. By training a group of women CCs, the CLA has created a group of role models for women coaches in their sport. (Download a pdf version, 2 pages, 280 KB)

Ringette Canada

Ringette Canada encourages women to take on leadership roles in coaching in order to provide positive coaching role models for the millions of girls who participate in the sport. In 2003, Ringette, with the support of the Coaching Association of Canada’s Women in Coaching program, hosted a Leadership Retreat for high performance women coaches with rave reviews from participants, “It wasn’t just what we learned from the presenters, but more what we learned from each other.”

This retreat allowed Ringette’s women coaches to form a bond which will ensure future sharing and learning. One participant declared, “For the first time in my coaching career, I felt like a novice! It was absolutely incredible to be able to ’pick their brains’ for coaching ideas.”

All of the coaches who attended the retreat were head coaches or assistant coaches with a team that had the opportunity to compete in a provincial, national, or multi-sport event in the 2002–2003 season. The formal program included sessions on practice philosophy, technical/tactical preparation, and effective communication and decision training.

In addition to the structured learning opportunities, the coaches were able to build relationships by sharing ideas and experiences with female colleagues who work in similar settings. This retreat provided an invaluable opportunity to strengthen the network of coaching knowledge across the country. (Download a pdf version, 2 pages, 280 KB)

Rowing Canada Aviron

RCA’s Women in Coaching project is an excellent example of what can happen if women coaches are given the opportunity and support to excel in their career.

RCA has a three-tiered approach to developing women coaches. The three tiers are aimed at women coaches working in the Competition – High Performance context (national team), in the Competition – Development context (Canada Games) and the Competition – Introduction context (the club coach). Development in each tier is the key to increasing the number of women coaching rowing and providing role models for future women coaches.

In 2003, RCA, with the support of CAC’s Women in Coaching program, focused on the development of nine women coaches who were working towards their Level 3 Practical accreditation to meet the requirements for the 2005 Canada Summer Games.

In order to meet the specific learning needs of these women coaches, each of them identified the Level 3 tasks they wanted to perfect. Unique learning opportunities were created for the coaches to allow them to develop expertise in their chosen tasks. The training that these coaches participated in not only allowed them to develop and refine their skills but also gave them the opportunity to interact with other women rowing coaches, breaking the isolation barrier that women coaches often experience. (Download a pdf version, 2 pages, 281 KB)

Canadian Soccer Association

In 2002, the CSA approved a National Initiative in Developing Women Coaches and have committed to establishing a structure that creates opportunities for women in coaching at all levels.

The CSA, with the support of CAC’s Women in Coaching program, took full advantage of hosting the FIFA U-19 Women’s World Championships to launch its commitment to the development of women’s coaching. During the championships, 17 women coaches from nine provinces and one territory participated in a four-day symposium which combined the development of practical coaching skills and the creation of a network of Canadian women soccer coaches.

For the first time, a large group of Canadian women soccer coaches were exposed to top-level international competition and given the opportunity and support to enhance their game analysis skills among a group of peers. By weaving an international competition into a structured learning environment, this group of coaches was given the opportunity to work within the formal network of international high-level coaches.

Combining a high profile international competition and a professional development symposium for women coaches served as a stepping stone in an active effort to encourage and develop women in coaching and mentoring positions. (Download a pdf version, 2 pages, 280 KB)