We know women are underrepresented in leadership roles across all levels of the Victorian sport and active recreation sector, particularly coaches, but also umpires, referees, administrators, executives, CEOs or presidents.

The challenges women face around time, commitment, opportunity and experience are common from community sport right through to elite levels.

In 2018 we held the Change Our Game Advancing Women in Coaching forum which provided the perfect chance for administrators from elite through to grassroots sports to network, share knowledge and discuss improving coaching and leadership opportunities for women within the Victorian sport and recreation industry.

Headlined by high profile guest speakers including Bec Goddard (inaugural AFLW premiership coach), Emma Highwood (Head of Women’s Football at Football Federation Australia) and Donna Rae Szalinski (Head Coach of the Australian Women’s Road Cycling team, former pro team Director Sportif), the event had a specific focus on coaching.

Topics of discussion included the changing role of the coach, ensuring the environment and culture is welcoming for female coaches, and the opportunity for women to help shape and redefine what a coach looks like. We captured some of the dominant themes from the panel discussion and they are packaged up in the below clips.

Differences between male and female coaching environments

Techniques employed to tackle challenges or advance as a female coach

Creating a female friendly club culture