She CAN coach: Closing coaching's glaring gender gap

With girls representing around 36% of registered youth soccer players across the country, Canada Soccer – through the TELUS ’She CAN Coach’ initiative – is working to encourage more female coaches into the game, providing more role models and representation.

 

Hannah Duncan spoke to Canada Soccer’s director of community development, Sara McConaghy, to find out more...

WSC: Tell us a bit about She Can Coach...

SM: The TELUS She CAN Coach’ initiative is a national coach recruitment, development and training project, designed for women to address the challenges they face regarding soccer participation.

 

Its focus is to recruit and support new entry-level coaches beginning their Canada Soccer grassroots coach education. 

 

Diverse women leaders in sport are critical in creating a welcoming and safe space for girls in sport.

 

This project will strive to support and advance gender equity in soccer, by reducing the barriers of entry for women to coach, with the hope that this will increase the registration of women and girls and help to balance the gender gap in participation.  

 

We are increasing the number of women coaches and encouraging more girls to play the sport.

 

WSC: How have you gone about reaching these people?

SM: We collaborate directly with community clubs to encourage more intentional and thoughtful approaches to how they recruit women into coaching roles. 

 

This includes critically examining traditional recruitment methods and exploring more effective strategies, such as personalized outreach and using language that clearly communicates the appeal of coaching from a woman’s perspective.

 

 

WSC: What does the program involve? What can participants expect?

SM: The program provides access to the Canada Soccer Grassroots Coach Education Program, alongside a structured framework of national and local support networks. 

 

Each level of this network plays a vital role in helping women navigate the sport and coaching ecosystem. 

 

By combining formal learning opportunities with peer connection, networking and community-based support – delivered in both virtual and in-person settings – the program is designed to equip women with the knowledge, confidence and relationships needed to thrive and advance in their coaching journey.

 

 

WSC: How many women have been involved so far?

SM: The project is currently in year two of delivery. 

 

In year one, we worked with 20 inaugural clubs – 12 in Alberta and eight in Nova Scotia – and more than 150 coaches. 

 

In year two, we are working with 50 clubs across Nova Scotia, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba, and more than 400 women coaches.

 

WSC: What benefits has this given them and what has the feedback been?

SM: The program has provided women with opportunities to develop their coaching skills, build confidence, and connect with a supportive network of peers and mentors.

 

In their feedback, many women have expressed how much they have valued having a program designed specifically for them, emphasizing the importance of the women-focused environment in addressing their unique challenges. 

 

Participants have highlighted how the program has not only increased their confidence, but also instilled a deeper sense of purpose in their coaching roles.

They have appreciated the opportunity to lead, mentor others, and become role models for future generations of female athletes and coaches, ultimately helping to close the gender gap in coaching and participation.

 

WSC: Why is it so important to have this dedicated program available?

SM: There is a significant gender gap in sport participation across Canada, with girls representing only about 36% of registered youth players. 

 

Our goal is to help close this gap by advancing the critical role that women leaders play in creating safe, inclusive and welcoming environments for girls in sport.

 

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