To mark the International Day of the Girl 2021, ICOACHKIDS brought together an inspiring group of practitioners for a special Coaching Girls Expert Panel, highlighting the unique experiences, challenges, and opportunities involved in coaching girls and young women in sport. The panel featured Houda Loukili of Favela Street and Ambokile Bell of Manchester Magic, who joined Viv Holt from Youth Sport Trust International for a rich and insightful conversation.
At the heart of the panel discussion was a shared mission: improving opportunities for girls to engage and thrive in sport. ICOACHKIDS, a global nonprofit movement advocating for child‑centred sport education, used this occasion to spotlight voices actively shaping inclusive, empowering environments for young female athletes.
Breaking Barriers and Building Confidence
Both Loukili and Bell brought personal, ground‑level perspectives from their coaching work. Their experiences illuminate how sport can be a powerful vehicle for confidence, community, and long‑term engagement—particularly for girls who may face structural or cultural barriers to participation. The speakers emphasized the importance of meeting girls where they are, listening to what motivates them, and adapting coaching approaches to ensure every participant feels welcomed and valued.
A recurring theme across the discussion was the idea that positive experiences in sport begin with trust and understanding. When coaches prioritize relationships and create supportive environments, girls are more likely to remain engaged, try new activities, and develop self‑belief that carries beyond the playing field.
Why Coaching Girls Requires Intentional Strategies
The panel highlighted that engaging girls in sport is not merely a matter of offering opportunities—it requires intentional strategies designed specifically for their needs. ICOACHKIDS reinforces this message by encouraging coaches, clubs, and organisations to explore practical resources such as the Nike Made to Play Coaching Girls Guide, a tool that helps coaches better understand what keeps girls participating and how to remove barriers that limit their involvement.
The discussion emphasized several essential coaching principles:
- Create psychologically safe environments where girls feel free to express themselves without fear of judgement.
- Foster social connection, as peer relationships are often a driving force in sustained participation.
- Ensure representation—girls benefit from seeing women in leadership and coaching roles.
- Adapt training to individual needs, recognising differences in maturity, confidence, and prior experience.
A Commitment to Putting Kids First
ICOACHKIDS’ overarching mission is to champion sport policy, education, and practice that puts kids first, and the Coaching Girls Expert Panel exemplifies this ethos. By amplifying practitioners who work directly with girls in diverse environments, the organisation continues to advocate for sport systems that prioritise development, wellbeing, and long‑term enjoyment.
Continuing the Conversation
The panel discussion offers an insightful look at how coaches can better support girls in sport and why doing so is essential to achieving broader gender equity. For coaches, educators, and sport organisations, the panel serves as both a learning opportunity and a call to action: empowering girls through sport is not only beneficial—it is necessary.
Find out more
Watch the full discussion below
Engaging more girls and women in sport is a key priority for ICOACHKIDS. Along with our own initiatives, we invite you to also explore the Nike Made to Play Coaching Girls Guide to explore strategies for engaging and retaining girls in sport.
