Supporting female coaches in Morocco

While some countries remain ahead of others in provision for female coaches, it is vital those with the expertise and resources support those elsewhere to grow the game.

That is what inspired US coach Jess Clinton to get involved with Sports Envoys and lend her experience and knowledge to female coaches in Morocco in 2021.

Sports Envoys are recruited by the US Department of State’s sports diplomacy division, in collaboration with US professional sports leagues, the US Olympic and Paralympic Committees and national sports federations. 

WSC caught up with Jess to find out more about her work...

 

WSC: Tell us a bit about the initiative with coaches in Morocco.

JC: "The sports diplomacy program worked with LEAD Morocco, a non-profit organization that uses sport as a positive incentive to improve academic performance, eliminate gender barriers, and empower Morocco’s future leaders. 

"We worked specifically with Moroccan coaches over Zoom during their coaching course."

 

WSC: What key advice did you give to the coaches for empowering female athletes?

JC: "Our session was specific to creating, building and developing a team culture.

"We were asking coaches about the value system on and off the field and how they might present it to their players in activities.

"Some of the values discussed were teamwork, hard work, motivation, enjoyment, leadership and development."

 

WSC: What else did the program focus on?

JC: "Coaches did on-field training sessions, classroom activities and Zoom meetings with different diplomacy staff.

"It was set up to be [like] a mini-US Soccer or United Soccer Coaches course, that covered a lot of team development topics as well as creating a really great, safe and fun soccer environment.

"Coaches were diving into our activity topics and, for many, the information presented was brand new. The coaches seemed to be very open to the activities that were presented and enjoyed our exercises."

 

WSC: Why is it so important to support female coaches and players in other countries?

JC: "For me, this is a no-brainer. The more we have girls and women involved, the more we develop in life and sport.

"It’s about opportunity, growth, confidence and problem-solving. In addition, for some, it may be a safe space for them to express themselves.

"Girls see their heroes and believe they too can be them. I am surrounded by incredible women on a daily basis and am extremely thankful, but does every girl or female coach have the same experience? Probably not. 

"There are a lot of reasons why we need to support female coaches and players and we need to stop the gatekeeping of access for all."

 

WSC: What advice would you give to other coaches looking to get involved in similar initiatives?

JC: "Be kind to people. My involvement with the US State Department came from a working relationship that turned into friendship.

"But, most importantly, I would say reach out, get connected and network. Find out how you can create this access for your community, and if you don’t know who to connect with, ask around.

"Keep learning, growing, and connecting. Female coaches will be better for it.

"You will get it very right and then very wrong at times. Get yourself a network of people who care not only for your development but your vision as well."