Women into Coaching 2

The project targeted women who may not have had the opportunity to become involved in sports coaching without the programme. Training was no longer cost prohibitive and the participants were able to access one to one support throughout.

From August 2006 until July 2008 the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) managed a project that enabled 159 women across London to pursue sports coaching careers through the Women into Coaching  2 – London (WiC2) positive action programmes. Women were able to gain coaching qualifications across 8 sports up to Level 3 through this learner centred programme. It also looked to increase awareness across the sector of the range of issues faced by women in sports coaching and to provide further evidence of the future needs of women and girls. The sports the project worked with were chosen largely based on their low levels of female representation in coaching and their ability to engage with the project at that given time.

Project detailsProject duration: 01 August 2006 - 01 July 2008
Organisation: 
Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation
Project name: 
Women into Coaching
AudienceBME, Deprived communities, Disabed
Age group: 
16 - 24
Age group: 
25 - 40
Age group: 
41+
Innovation
The project targeted women who may not have had the opportunity to become involved in sports coaching without the programme. Training was no longer cost prohibitive and the participants were able to access one to one support throughout the Women into Coaching scheme. The delivery relied heavily on partners, but it also helped them in addressing their own workforce development issues.
Recruitment and promotion
We produced fact cards to promote each sport and coaching opportunity. These were distributed via a number of regional meetings and events organised by strategic and delivery partners. Our partners were also very proactive – promoting the project through their websites and brochures. Press releases were distributed as well. The majority of the applicants found out about the project online. 325 women expressed an interest in the programme, although we did receive feedback that it could have been better promoted outside of the sector.
Location
Local
How was your project delivered?Swimming, football, badminton, cricket, rugby league, gym based, gymnastics, basketball, water sports
Funding
The project was funded through the European Social Fund's Objective 3 so it was co-financed by the Learning and Skills Council.
Partnership
Strategic partners for the project included; Skills Active, London South Bank University, Sports Coach UK and the Pro Active London Community Sport & Physical Activity Networks. Project delivery partners included; English Gymnastics, The FA, Asian Action Group, Amateur Swimming Association, Rugby Football League, Amateur Rowing Association, Badminton England, England Basketball, England and Wales Cricket Board, London Community Sports Network, Richmond and Kingston College – Centre of Vocational Excellence (COVE).
Results
Lessons: 
We found that recruiting appropriate mentors to support the women on the programme was difficult. We had anticipated recruiting 70 to support the women but we only recruited 14. The participants who had the oppportunity to work with the mentors gave very positive feedback.
Evaluation: 
Of the 159 women who gained coaching qualifications through the Women into Coaching (WiC) programme, 85% are now coaching in clubs and the community. The project also raised awareness of the barriers that women face in relation to coaching amongst partner organisations and gave them ideas and information as to how to address these barriers. The project also succeeded in raising the profile of women as coaches, managers, leaders and role models through the women involved in the project themselves.
Themes

Coaching

Women into Coaching (WiC) enabled 159 women to be involved in sports coaching, development and leadership and to take their chosen qualification. The project focused on addressing potential barriers like cost, childcare, transports and providing a supportive environment including mentoring for the participants.

Confidence and self-esteem

One of the barriers the project looked to address was women’s confidence to train and practice as coaches. This was done through the project partner and mentors. Having an induction session for all women enrolled in the programme was also key as it provided an opportunity for people to ask questions about things they were unsure of and to meet the project manager face to face. The project manager was a key point of contact and support for the women on the program so this was seen as quite important. Women only courses were also accessed where possible so as to provided a non threatening training environment.