ICOACHKIDS was proud to be part of the Third Rowing Coaches Congress, held last Saturday in Cacia, Portugal. The event gathered around 30 dedicated rowing coaches from clubs across the country for a day of professional development, skill-building, and meaningful discussion on the critical role coaches play in shaping young athletes’ experiences.

During his session, Guillermo also shared key insights from the ICOACHGIRLS project, highlighting current findings on boosting female participation in sports. He discussed actionable strategies to make sports environments more welcoming and accessible for girls, with a focus on giving girls a voice and creating fun, supportive spaces that emphasize personal development and lifelong engagement in sport. Attendees were introduced to ICOACHKIDS’ array of free resources, including evidence-based guidelines, online courses (MOOCs), and other practical tools available to help coaches implement best practices that promote inclusivity, personal growth, and enthusiasm in youth sports.

This congress, held in partnership with Coletividade Popular de Cacia and supported by the Junta de Freguesia de Cacia, Ave Rowing Boats, and the Portuguese Confederation of Coaches, provided an excellent platform for ICOACHKIDS to share our mission with the rowing community. Together, we are fostering an inclusive, youth-centered approach to coaching that inspires young rowers and builds a stronger future for the sport.