(The Challenges and Triumphs of Female Youth Soccer Coaches)
After reading SOCCERevolutions – MINDSET (Part 1) and the ‘Equal Representation‘ section, which stated:
“Attracting players and keeping them playing into and past their teen years are more likely to improve by doing the following…
Equal Representation:
Every team must have both a male and female coach!
This is non-negotiable. Kids need to see both male and female coaches on the sidelines, showing them that soccer is a game for everyone. It’s time to set the standard for equal representation in soccer.
Additionally, having male and female coaches brings a sweet balance of perspectives. You see, the whole fair and firm deal? It’s about keeping things consistent, setting boundaries, and ensuring everyone follows the rules. Having both female and male coaches helps kids understand what’s expected of them, teaches them discipline, and shows them how to respect authority, whether it’s the coach or the ref. It’s like finding that perfect mix of support and structure, giving young athletes the guidance they need to shine on and off the field. So let’s make it happen—every team, every sideline, every game!”
I just can’t resist and want to kick things off by sharing my thoughts on Females Coaching in Youth Soccer …
You’ve probably noticed that it’s mostly men out there with the whistle. Even though more and more young girls are getting into soccer, the number of female coaches hasn’t really kept up. This brought up some big questions in my mind about the hurdles women face in becoming and succeeding as coaches. But it’s not all tough times; there are also some amazing success stories of women who’ve shattered that glass ceiling. So, I’d like to give you my two-cents worth of these challenges and celebrate the women who’ve made it through.
Disparity in Youth Soccer Coaching:
First, let’s get real about the numbers. Women are seriously underrepresented in youth soccer coaching. Studies in the U.S.A, show that about 70-80% of youth soccer coaches are men. That leaves just 20-30% of those spots for women. And if we’re talking higher levels of play, like competitive or travel teams, the numbers drop even more for female coaches.
Why Is This Happening?
There are many reasons why we’re seeing fewer women in coaching roles, and they start early on and continue throughout a woman’s career.
Traditional Roles:
Society often nudges girls away from leadership roles in sports, making them think coaching is a “man’s job.” These stereotypes are tough to shake off and can make women less likely to go for coaching gigs.
Lack of Female Role Models:
When girls don’t see women coaching, it becomes difficult for them to imagine themselves in those roles. The scarcity of female coaches perpetuates a cycle where girls struggle to see a future for themselves in coaching. However, there are inspiring trailblazers who are breaking this cycle—more on them later.
Work-Life Balance:
Coaching takes a lot of time. Finding time to coach is tricky for women juggling jobs, family, and other duties. Plus, society often expects women to put family first, which can push them away from coaching.
Bias and Discrimination:
Women who do coach often face skepticism about their abilities and might not get the same respect as their male peers. This bias can show up subtly like being passed over for positions or not being taken seriously.
Limited Access to Coaching Education:
Women sometimes have fewer chances to get coaching experience or join advanced training programs. Some coaching networks are more welcoming to men, limiting opportunities for women.
Celebrating the Trailblazers:
Despite these hurdles, many women have overcome them and made a huge impact in youth soccer. Their inspiring stories show that you can overcome these challenges with determination.
(Be inspired by – Becky Burleigh, Karina LeBlanc, and Emma Hayes)
What Can We Do?
To bridge this gap, we must support and empower women in coaching roles.
Here are some ideas:
Promote Female Role Models:
Highlight and celebrate successful female coaches to give young girls role models. Media coverage and awards for female coaches can help change perceptions and inspire the next generation.
Mentorship Programs:
Connect experienced female coaches with newcomers to provide support and guidance. These programs can help women navigate the challenges of coaching and build their confidence.
Flexible Coaching Opportunities:
Offer part-time positions or job-sharing arrangements to help women balance coaching with other responsibilities. Flexibility can encourage more women to take on coaching roles.
Address Bias:
Organizations must actively work to eliminate bias. This means promoting equity, provide training, and ensuring women have equal access to coaching positions and development opportunities.
Build Inclusive Networks:
Create coaching networks that welcome and support women, providing a sense of community and shared resources. These networks can advocate for more female representation in coaching.
Conclusion & Call to Action:
The challenges female youth soccer coaches face are real but not impossible to overcome. We can create a more inclusive coaching environment by tackling these barriers, and celebrating the women who’ve broken through the glass ceiling. The future of soccer coaching is brighter with the voices and talents of women, ensuring that the next generation of players benefits from our unique perspectives and strengths.
Finally and most important, please share this article with your soccer community, join the SOCCERevolution, conversation, and share your thoughts and ideas about improving the Recruitment and Retention of Female Coaches!
