Brams United SC: A club growing its female coach base

Once completed, they will determine a coaching schedule that fits their availability and allows them to be paired with a more senior coach who is able to mentor the LeadHER participant on the field.

This allows the participant to gain confidence and experience, knowing they can turn to their mentor for on-field support as they lead sessions. This mentorship typically occurs in the fall/winter seasons. 

Next, the participant is assigned a program or team to lead, based on their experience during the mentorship period and the assessment of their strengths and feedback from the director of soccer.

This allows for the participant to be placed in an environment in which they feel comfortable and will thrive.

Within these next five months as a lead, they will complete self-assessment worksheets and meet with the director of soccer to continue goal-setting and planning for their future.

WSC: How many coaches have been involved so far?

MB: In the 2022-23 cohort, we had 10 successful participants, of which eight continued in coaching roles leading into the next season. 

Participants appreciated the opportunity to give their own feedback when designing a coaching role and schedule to fit their needs.

For example, some participants currently play soccer in high-performance leagues, which requires them to be at practice and games four times a week, while some had jobs and appreciated the flexibility.

WSC: What effect have you seen the initiative have on coaching numbers?

MB: We have seen a 55% increase in both the interest and participation of female coaches across our programming, as well as significantly more applicants for the next cohort of LeadHER coaches.

We now have at least one female coach supporting our female grassroots U8s-U12s development teams, and female coaches working with our male teams to end the stigma that females should not be coaching males.

WSC: Why is it so important for young girls to have female leaders and role models in coaching?

MB: For many years, soccer, and the roles within it, have been viewed as male-dominated, with not much space for girls and women to participate.

By ensuring there are female leaders and role models within our programs - such as female directors and coaches - the younger generation of girls can see themselves in similar roles as they grow.

We can also grow the number of girls and women participating as they feel welcomed and represented by those leading these programs.

WSC: What are the future plans for the initiative?

KG: As we gain more interest and traction, we hope to expand the program to support more of the female coaches on Canada Soccer’s Advanced Coach Education pathway.

This will support our regional, provincial and national sport bodies in securing more women in coaching as they will be developed at the grassroots level and be able to apply for coaching roles in bigger organizations and more high-performance teams.

In a similar way to when athletes join professional and national teams - and the younger generation are able to have role models and heroes from their communities on the bigger stage - this will empower girls and women to see themselves in more professional and prestige coaching roles and less as assistants for these teams.

 

---

CASE STUDY

"Coaching has changed my life. It is an amazing gift to teach the passion of the game to a younger audience.

"I began coaching early last year and never knew the impact it would have on my life. 

"I started to play soccer at the age of four - my parents signed me up because being a ballerina just wasn’t for me!

"My dad coached me for eight years and made such an impact not only on me but my team-mates, too. I knew I wanted to do the same for someone else.

"The LeadHER program has given me the opportunity to inspire a future generation. 

"It allows me, as a woman, to have a voice and provides young female players with role models to show that coaching is not just a male-dominated profession.

"It brings diversity to the coaching staff and can lead to different coaching styles and approaches. 
"Not only are these kids learning from me but I am learning from them!"

 

Paige Elliot, former brams united player, now coaching the club’s U9s and U11s girls and U8s boys

 

---