Across the world, sport has the power to transform lives—but not everyone has equal access to that opportunity. For many women, coaching remains a space filled with barriers, biases, and missed opportunities.
At ICOACHKIDS, through the ICOACHGIRLS initiative, we are working to change that.
This article explores how we can support more women to start and stay in coaching, and why creating inclusive, empowering environments benefits not just coaches—but children, communities, and the future of sport.
Why Women in Coaching Matter
Research shows that girls are significantly less likely than boys to participate in organised sport. One major reason? A lack of female role models and inclusive environments.
When women are visible and supported in coaching:
- Girls are more likely to participate and stay in sport
- Coaching environments become more inclusive and diverse
- The quality of coaching improves through broader perspectives
Increasing the number, confidence, and competence of female coaches is essential to building a healthier sport system for all.
Understanding the Challenge
Women face a range of barriers when entering and progressing in coaching, including:
- Low confidence and self-belief
- Limited access to clear career pathways
- Lack of support networks and mentoring
- Gender bias and stereotypes
- Work-life balance challenges
These barriers are often interconnected—and overcoming them requires a holistic, long-term approach.
A Framework for Change: The Youth Sport Compass
To guide this work, ICOACHGIRLS uses the Youth Sport Compass, which promotes four key environments:
- Development-oriented – helping coaches grow and reach their potential
- Motivational – keeping coaches engaged and inspired
- Caring – supporting wellbeing and individual needs
- Socially safe – ensuring respect, inclusion, and belonging
Creating the right climate across these four areas is essential for supporting women in coaching.
9 Key Actions to Support Women in Coaching
1. Empower Female Coaches
Many women underestimate their abilities—even when highly qualified.
What helps:
- Positive coaching cultures
- Confidence-building and leadership development
- Recognition of strengths and achievements
2. Provide Clear Pathways for Development
Women need visible and accessible routes into and through coaching.
What helps:
- Transparent career pathways
- Learning opportunities and qualifications
- Fair recruitment and progression systems
3. Offer Support and Remove Barriers
Support systems are critical at every stage of a coaching journey.
What helps:
- Family-friendly policies
- Open conversations about challenges
- Practical solutions to barriers (e.g., time, childcare, travel)
4. Use Role Models
“You can’t be what you can’t see.”
What helps:
- Promoting strong female coaching role models
- Highlighting success stories
- Engaging male allies to champion inclusion
5. Support Relationships and Networks
Coaching can feel isolating—especially for women in male-dominated spaces.
What helps:
- Creating communities and peer networks
- Opportunities for connection and collaboration
- Safe spaces to share experiences
6. Provide Mentoring Programmes
Mentorship is a powerful driver of confidence, learning, and retention.
What helps:
- Structured mentoring opportunities
- Female mentors where possible
- Ongoing guidance and support
7. Help Administrators Understand Women’s Needs
Organisations play a key role in shaping inclusive environments.
What helps:
- Educating leaders and decision-makers
- Embedding gender awareness into policies
- Supporting work-life balance
8. Create a Positive and Inclusive Environment
Women thrive where they feel valued, respected, and safe.
What helps:
- Zero tolerance for discrimination and harassment
- Inclusive policies and safeguarding practices
- Actively welcoming female coaches
9. Resist Biases and Stereotyping
Outdated beliefs about women in coaching still persist.
What helps:
- Challenging stereotypes at all levels
- Promoting diversity as a strength
- Being intentional about inclusive language and behaviour
Taking Action: A Multi-Level Approach
To truly remove barriers, action is needed at all levels:
- Micro (on the ground): daily interactions, coaching sessions, relationships
- Meso (organisational): club policies, recruitment, education systems
- Macro (system-wide): national policies, funding, cultural change
The more “green lights” we create across these levels, the greater the impact.
Download the Guide
You can DOWNLOAD THE FULL GUIDE HERE or via the dowloads section below.
You can also access and download the executive summary of this guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Dutch, Hungarian and Lithuanian. Simply click the language and jump right in.
Moving Forward
There is no single solution to increasing the number of women in coaching. Every context is different, and every coach has unique needs.
But one thing is clear:
Creating inclusive, supportive environments is not optional—it is essential.
By empowering women, removing barriers, and reshaping culture, we can build a coaching system where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
Join the Movement
ICOACHKIDS is committed to helping coaches create positive experiences for every child—and that starts with supporting those who coach.
Let’s work together to ensure that more women not only enter coaching—but stay, grow, and lead.
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