CSPs across the country are inspiring more women to become involved in the coaching and leadership.
Research from Sport England and Women in Sport show women only 30% of the coaching workforce are female. Working collaboratively with local and national partners such as UK Coaching's Reach Programme, CSPs are seeking to readdress this balance, supporting and encouraging and then motivating women to become involved.
Some of the work being undertaken across the country is highlighted below.
- #PassOnYourPassion
The #PassOnYourPassion (POYP) campaign currently taking place, involving 13 northern CSPs has already started to see results.
Tyne and Wear Sport, just one of the CSPs involved in #PassOnYourPassion have used the campaign to identify 22 females to become involved in an ‘everyone coach’ project. The women involved will be offered all round support, including funding, to steer them towards their preferred coaching qualifications and non-formal training opportunities. Other coaches involved in POYP are being supported through a female only talent coach development programme to support them to move onto the next level of the coaching ladder.
A number of videos and personal stories can be viewed on social media using the search term #PassOnYourPassion
- Project 500
The 6 CSPs across the South East are continuing to develop Project 500 the female coach development programme that aims to engage, develop and deploy more female coaches locally. A successful recent coaching conference was held for the females involved attracting 75 people and several regional recruitment videos which embraces the concept that women already possess the transferable skills to coach - ‘You are already coaching’
Leap, one CSP involved in Project 500 , has had females make up over 50% of the people accessing coach education programme over the last 12 months. These success has been achieved through a variety on support and inventions including utilising local female video case studies and blogs, providing funding through Leap Coach Fund, a Buddy Up Scheme and delivery of bespoke workshops. Read more
- Women Make Coaching
Women Make Coaching is a joint project across the 6 West Midlands which provides mentoring, networking, deployments and funding for qualifications as well as development opportunities for female coaches.
Lee Booth, Coaching Lead for the CSP Network says
CSPs are continually developing insight, creating innovative projects and promoting the cause of women becoming coaches and developing as coaches. This learning is being shared across the Network, allowing CSPs every opportunity to create opportunities for female coaches and to understand the barriers that are in place. The Sport England Coaching Plan for England is helping to drive this work, with a continued focus on recruiting coaches from under represented groups.
They are plenty more examples of work being undertaken by CSPs. If you would like more information please contact Nicki Couzens, Ncouzens@cspnetwork.org or find your local CSP details http://www.activepartnerships.org/your-csp
