International Women’s Day is a powerful celebration of the incredible achievements and progress of women across various sectors. In sports, last year was particularly outstanding on global, domestic, and local levels.
Women’s elite sport globally has reached a historic milestone, generating over $1 billion for the first time ever. Arsenal FC Women set a new record by selling 60,160 tickets for their match against Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium. Impact ’25, the legacy programme for the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025, which is dedicated to making rugby more accessible for women and girls, has seen a 9.3% year-on-year increase in participation, with 22,795 girls now playing rugby. And closer to home, Essex Cricket proudly announced their successful bid to form a Tier One professional women’s team starting from the 2025 season.
These accomplishments highlight the remarkable growth of women’s and girls’ sports, and I can’t help but smile with admiration, knowing that the tide of opportunity is changing. However, we are still confronted with alarming headlines about the lack of female coaches and a recent decline in their numbers, despite the increasing opportunities for women and girls to participate in sports.
According to YouGov’s research, the proportion of female coaches across the UK has dropped to 38% in 2024, a 6% decrease from 2022.
This decline is concerning and highlights a significant issue within the sports community, emphasising the urgent need to #AccelerateAction.
It is important to highlight the great work which is going on across the sector. UK Sport has reported that the number of women coaching in Olympic and Paralympic sports has doubled since 2020. The FA has highlighted a historic period of growth, with an 88% increase in the number of female coaches. Additionally, UK Coaching has developed its Gender Impact Strategy, aimed at creating inclusive and diverse coaching environments, promoting equity, and driving systemic change.
However, despite these advancements, there is still a decline, so what needs to be done at a more local level working with community sports clubs and organisations.
A question that often crosses my mind outside of work is what more we can do to change the norm when I stand as the only female coach developer, alongside my two male allies, in front of a group of enthusiastic football coaches and see, on average, only two female faces looking back at me. This experience is no different from when I attended my very first coaching course back in 2011, where I was one of the few female learners. So, why has there been such limited change at a grassroots level?
There remains a significant lack of female representation at the mentor and coach level across all sports, which results in fewer female role models in these positions. This can be incredibly discouraging for women and young female leaders who are eager to expand their knowledge and grow in their chosen sport. The absence of visible female mentors and coaches creates a barrier to entry and progression, making it difficult for aspiring female coaches to envision a successful career path. This lack of diversity in coaching not only limits the variety of perspectives and approaches within sport but also affects the overall development and inclusivity of the coaching environment.
The need for more female-specific training programs, led by female coach developers and mentors, cannot be overstated. These programmes are essential to address the unique challenges women face in the coaching world and to provide them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. By creating and promoting coaching courses and professional development opportunities specifically designed for women, we can empower them to break through barriers and excel in their chosen sport. Female-led programmes is not a new concept but is consistently highlighted as a potential solution for growth and retention, so why the lack of these locally?
As a female who has been fully embedded in a sport for over 15 years, I deeply admire the innovative concepts driving the growth of female coaches. However, there is still much to be done, and the forgotten cohort, for me, is myself. As a coach who has already embarked on my coaching journey and developed laterally across guided pathways, I haven’t been asked since my last ‘official’ training course in 2019 how I can be kept in the game, how my continued development can be supported, or how I can share my knowledge with others.
My awareness of opportunities and pathways has come from my professional work in sports and community development, which I consider a blessing. Without this career pathway, I wouldn’t have been supported or aware of many opportunities, nor would I have been asked how everything is going. It’s crucial to recognize and support those who are already on their coaching journey, ensuring they have the resources and encouragement to continue growing and contributing to the sports community.
To truly address this issue, we need to make a concerted effort to promote and support female coaches. This means providing them with the necessary resources, opportunities, and recognition to thrive not just at a national level but more so at a local level. By doing so, we can ensure that they inspire the next generation of female participants and coaches, creating a more inclusive and equitable sports environment for all. It’s about building a future where every young girl can see herself in the role of a coach or mentor, knowing that her dreams are not only possible but fully supported
When we talk about our younger generation, the ones who will carry the torch long after us, it’s essential to highlight the opportunities available in coaching. This isn’t just about national recognition but also about showcasing the success of female coaches at a local, more relatable level. Instilling a love for teaching others a technique or skill in a sport begins at school or within a grassroots club environment. We need to create more opportunities for young people to share their knowledge in safe, non-judgmental environments. By providing pathway options through National Governing Bodies (NGBs) or national programs like Coach Core, we can nurture their passion for coaching and increase the number of female coaches. By celebrating and promoting the achievements of female coaches at all levels not just on dedicated days like #IWD2025 but more regularly, we can inspire the next generation to step into these roles with confidence and enthusiasm.
Alongside national programmes that aim to increase the number of coaches, there needs to be more support for those who have ‘broken the mould’ or serve as local role models. Decentralising support and fostering local bonds can help enhance a sense of togetherness. Having a space that enables those already immersed in coaching to continue sharing lived experiences and have a safe space where they can ask questions that have been troubling them for weeks without fear of judgment, supported by local female coaches and mentors.
While there is much to celebrate on International Women’s Day, it is crucial to acknowledge and address the decline in the number of female coaches. As Gloria Steinem, the renowned feminist, journalist, and activist, once explained, ‘The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organisation but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.’ By adopting a systemic approach and taking proactive steps to support and promote female coaches, we can ensure that the growth in participation for women and girls in sports is matched by a corresponding increase in female leadership and mentorship. This will create a more inclusive and equitable sports environment for all.
