On 16 October, TAFISA hosted a webinar on Recruiting and Retaining More Girls in Sports: The Role of Coaches. This event, third in the new Mission 2030 Series cycle, attracted attendees from around the globe, with over 1000 registrations, and featured participation from leading organizations, coaches, and advocates in this field. Their involvement elevated the discussion, highlighting the need for female role models in sports, more women in the decision-making process and more investment.
The invited speakers, guided by moderator Game Mothibi, engaged with the topic. Mariëtte Brethouwer from Nike set the tone by opening the session with a video that highlighted the vital role coaches play in shaping the experiences of female athletes. She discussed the barriers that hinder both girls' participation in sports and the advancement of female coaches. Despite these challenges, Brethouwer emphasized the importance of increasing opportunities for girls in sports and expanding the number of trained female youth coaches, highlighting the positive impact it can have on keeping girls in sports.
Relive the Webinar through our video replay below or on YouTube
The panel discussions were very lively as they featured valuable insights from Ruth Brazier from iCoachKids, Marielle Schweickart from WomenWin, and Lisa Solmirano from UN Women. Despite the panellists representing different continents and organizations, their insights were strikingly similar, with a shared focus on supporting and empowering coaches. They talked about how necessary it is for coaches to understand their participants and adapt their practice to participants.
Following the panel discussion, the moderator shared insights into TAFISA's collaboration with Nike on the Girls Positive and Safe Coaching Pathway. This initiative was developed to address the gender inequities that limit the participation of women and girls in sports at all levels. By focusing on "coaching the coaches," the pathway aims to break down barriers and create a more equitable, accessible, and positive experience for girls in sports. Learn more about the pathway here.
The session also featured two inspiring stories from the field, shared by trainers and beneficiaries of the Girls Positive and Safe Coaching Pathway. Gorata Kgathi, Head Coach at Savage Rugby Club and a Safe Coaching Pathway trainer with Women & Sport Botswana, and Samantha Lynch, a Sports Coach with the Cricket Association in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, emphasized the transformative impact of engaging coaches in this initiative. Both highlighted the passion and enthusiasm coaches bring when learning new approaches, particularly those aimed at supporting girls in sports. However, they also encouraged coaches to reflect on key questions: Why do I coach? What do I want to achieve for the girls I coach? Their message was clear—there is a need to find more ways to connect with and support even more coaches to drive change.
The interactive breaks were a highlight, allowing us to hear directly from the audience. Trust-building and providing strong role models were identified as key factors in helping coaches create positive and safe sports environments for girls. On the flip side, gender bias, discrimination, and cultural expectations were seen as the main barriers keeping women from becoming community sports coaches. There's still much work to be done, but this webinar was a fantastic step forward in driving the conversation!
Webinar Speakers:
Useful Links:
Save the date of our next webinar, “Developing the Fundraising Readiness of Sport for All organisations”, on the 3rd of December, 2024. We look forward to another enlightening and enthusiastic conversation.
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