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OUR MISSION
The Women's Coaching Alliance mission is to grow the number of women coaching youth sports by connecting female athletes with coaching opportunities, development, mentorship and preparing them to be great leaders within and outside of sports. And boost the odds that all kids get a great coach whose positive influence impacts them for life.
why it matters
More women coaching
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Before the passage of Title IX in 1972, more than 90% of women’s college teams were coached by women. Today that number is 40%. (Source)
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At youth and high school levels, it’s estimated that women make up only 20% of coaches. (Source)
Coach development and mentorship
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Youth coaches often receive little training. Project Play estimates that only 36% of youth coaches are trained in how to motivate kids effectively. (Source)
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Development and mentorship are key to going from good to great. As John Wooden famously said, “A good coach can change a game. A great coach can change a life.”
Coaches develop leadership skills
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Encouraging failure and creating a great culture are both coaching and leadership skills. And here are more skills that great coaches and leaders share.
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Great coaches learn to manage their emotions and tailor their style to the situation, also traits of great leaders. Other linkages here.
Great coaches can influence kids
to stay in sport - and that matters
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~70% of youth athletes drop out of sports before high school (Source) with kids saying a key reason is it’s no longer fun
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Kids who stop playing can miss key benefits, with sports participation associated with an array of educational, physical, mental, social and emotional benefits (Source)
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Playing sports is correlated with career success: 95% of Fortune 500 executives played high school sports (Source) and 80% of female executives were athletes (Source)
why the wca mission matters
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LISA BONTA SUMII,LCSW, CSW
CEO & Founder
AthMindset
"Supporting the mental health of female coaches is essential for their overall well-being, as well as that of the athletes they coach. Being seen as more than their sport humanizes them and de-stigmatize what it means to be mentally tough."
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PATTI PHILLIPS
CEO Women Leaders in College Sports
"Coaching can serve as a springboard into leadership roles outside of sports, helping girls and women develop their communication skills and build their confidence. A future with more girls and women coaching sports means a future with more women leaders, which is why the work of the Women's Coaching Alliance is so important."
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KATE PAYE
Associate Head Coach, Stanford Basketball
"Getting more women involved in coaching sports will help women develop the leadership skills and confidence to be strong and impactful leaders in our organizations, institutions, businesses, and communities. Seeing more women in coaching roles will help everyone recognize, respect and value women as leaders in all areas of our society."
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NICOLE LAVOI
Director, Tucker Center for Research on Girls &
Women in Sport
"A concerted effort to recruit, support and engage women sport coaches is important in so many ways! Data supports that same identity role models matter for girls' self-perceptions, confidence, and inspiration to name a few! Girls rarely get a same identity role models in sports, and that needs to change!"
BARBARA WALKER
Deputy Athletic Director, Wake Forest. Retired
"All of us are more successful in relationships and careers when we learn at an early age how to compete and achieve goals as a team. The lessons learned in sport are invaluable. Having more women involved in a young girl’s life especially in sports sends the message that anything is possible."
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FRANCISCA HAWKINS
Leadership Coaching; Title: Leader in Developing Digital Products
"Women coaches offer diverse perspectives, insight and advice to their athletes."
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SAMANTHA SALVIA
Coach, Athlete, Advocate, Positive Coaching Alliance Trainer
"I'm old enough to have ONLY had women coaches when I was a younger athlete and I'm thankful for, and changed by, their leadership. Sports consistently proves itself to be one of our most effective frameworks for leadership, character, and socio-emotional development. When we have a major institution like youth sports with leadership that is only about 15% women, we are missing critical voices, perspectives, and role models that would benefit all kids."
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MIKE VARAS
Head Coach of U.S. Under-20 Men's National Team
“Because we have a wealth of untapped human potential that has not been provided the same opportunities. As a man, if I truly value diversity, equity, and inclusion then I need to take a close look in the mirror and recognize I've done more to benefit from this paradigm than to change it."
SAM RAPOPORT
NFL, Senior Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
"Excluding half the population in any profession means you're leaving out half the talent. Women have the drive, talent, knowledge and passion to coach as much as any gender does. Athletes truly appreciate their coaching environments reflecting society."