Actively Engaging Women and GirlsPromising Practices from the Canadian Sport and Physical Activity System

Sydney Millar & Lori Johnstone

caaws.ca

Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and

Physical Activity

Encouraging girls and women to get off the bleachers, and onto the fields and

playing courts, into the pools, the locker rooms and boardrooms of Canada

caaws.ca

Framing the Discussion

• Increase awareness about the experiences of women & girls in sport and physical activity

• Examine Canadian Sport for Life (CS4L) / Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) through the gender lens

• Provide recommendations to address psycho-social factors that influence female participant / athlete development, leadership and life-long participation

caaws.ca

Table of Contents• Introduction• CS4L and the LTAD Model• The Benefits & Barriers of Sport &

Physical Activity for Women & Girls• The Psycho-Social Factors that

Influence Women’s & Girls’ Involvement in Sport & Physical Activity

• CS4L / LTAD Through the Gender Lens

• Recommendations for Action —Everyone has a Role to Play When Actively Engaging Women & Girls

caaws.ca

Targeted Supplements

Recommendations for…• NSOs and P/TSOs• High Performance Coaches and Leaders• Community Coaches and Program Leaders• Educators and School Administrators• Families and Care Givers• Making Sport More Welcoming to Sex and

Gender Diversity

Download the resource and supplements from:www.caaws.ca/ActivelyEngaging/

caaws.ca

Experience the benefits of optimal health and positive development

Are successful participants and athletes who experience

the benefits and positive development gained through

sport and activity

Are engaged and valued leaders in sport, physical activity, recreation,

education, health, research, business, government, etc.

Are lifelong active participants who transition

through relevant participation LTAD stages as their life

commitments, responsibilities and goals

evolve

caaws.ca

Socio-Ecological Approach

caaws.ca

caaws.ca

Theory ���� PracticeFrom thinking about it to making it happen…

• Implement Policy

• Promote the Value of Women and Girls

• Build Capacity

• Strengthen Partnerships

• Research and Evaluation

caaws.ca

Implement Policy

Institut National du Sport du Québec

• A policy for gender balance was introduced for their 11 member Board of Directors

• Minimum of 4 positions for women and 4 positions for men

caaws.ca

Implement Policy

Canada Games Council Women in Coaching

• Since 2005, 61 coaches from 24 sports• Apprentice coach programs (components of

Dreams and Champions) – specifically for aboriginal and women coaches

• Direct involvement in preparation and competition, mentor coach support

caaws.ca

Implement Policy

The Canada Games Women in Coaching

Program helped me define a clear vision of

my objectives, values and philosophy as a

coach. [It] gave me confidence in my

coaching abilities and effective networking

tools. It also gave me the opportunity to build

relationships with several coaches from

different sports and levels. Finally, it was a

pleasure to fully participate as a coach in a

major competition like the Games and to see

one of our athletes win two medals. I hope

that all women coaches can benefit from the

support and experience of this program.

Manon Losier, 2011 Apprentice Coach Cross Country Skiing

caaws.ca

Implement Policy

Water Polo Canada

Developing Future Successful Female Coaches through our National Team Programs, National Development Centers and Canadian Select League• Goals:

– To develop, encourage and employ female coaches at all levels of high performance in Water Polo Canada in the role of head coach, assistant coach or IST member.

– To have a female coach in either a head coach or assistant coach of every National Team program

– To have a female coach involved in each National Development Centre as a head coach or assistant coach

– To actively influence and play a role in National and Provincial High Performance programs for all ages

caaws.ca

Implement Policy

Water Polo Canada

• Key learnings – strong need / high demand and diversity brings better points of view and best practices

• Challenges - convincing women, buy in & acceptance from international community, getting started at grassroots level

• Impact - National team program has a female coach and/or staff member(s) involved in every national team as well as 90% of National Development Centres and high performance projects moving forward

caaws.ca

Promote the Value of Women

Ontario University AthleticsWomen of Influence

• Honours top female student-athletes who excelled in their sport and field of study

• Luncheon features high profile key note– Heather Moyse, Venus Williams

• Local high school students invited to attend• Since 2003

caaws.ca

Promote the Value of Women

University of New Brunswick Varsity RedsYou Can Play

• Increasing awareness to end homophobia and discrimination against LGBTQ community in sport and physical activity

• International movement• Featured on the “big screen” at basketball,

volleyball and hockey – 24,000 spectators• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUVEvSa-8sI

• Step Up! Speak Out! Ally Campaign for Inclusive Sport

caaws.ca

Promote the Value of Women

Tri-It, CalgaryWomen’s Speaker Series

• To connect, inspire and educate women

• Opportunity to profile women experts, provide leadership opportunities

• Provide role models• Promote women’s stories

caaws.ca

Promote the Value of Women

CAAWSMost Influential Women in Sport

• Annual recognition of women game changers– 20 athletes, officials, coaches, professors,

administrators and volunteers…and 2 “ones to watch”

• Profiles women leaders in the sector, generates discussion, prompts additional lists

• Since 2000• http://caaws.ca/influentialwomen/e/2012/list.htm

caaws.ca

Building Capacity

Ont. Federation of School Athletic AssociationsWomen’s Sport School

• Professional development event for women teacher-coaches from across the province– Administration & leadership, exposure to a

variety of sports, teaching methods, discussion groups with peers

• Delivered every 2 years• May 2012 – 84 participants

caaws.ca

Build Capacity

Wheelchair Basketball Canada Futures Program

• Leadership Camp at U25 Women’s World Wheelchair Basketball Championship - July 2011

• 15 young adult female wheelchair basketball players (not playing with Team Canada)

caaws.ca

Build Capacity

Wheelchair Basketball Canada Futures Program

• Delegates learned the skills needed to undertake a community-benefitting “project” back home that would benefit their local clubs

• 18 months later ... every participant still involved in some capacity

caaws.ca

Build Capacity

Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association Female Apprentice Coach Program

• Targets female graduating student-athletes• Provides grants for ProD opportunities & costs

associated with apprentice coach• Player scouting, team communications, training

exercises, skill development, admin duties• 15 apprentice coaches, 13 women’s teams, 8th year• Apprentice gain skills & experience, mentor coach

benefits from her past experience as an athlete

caaws.ca

Build Capacity

Égale Action

• Congrès Leadership au Féminin – 1st French congress exclusively for women coaches level 2, 3 & 4. Up to 30 coaches can attend, all expenses paid.

• Programme MentoreActive – 6 hours of training in leadership, mentoring, communication & conflict resolution for young women (ages 15-17), followed by mentoring as they organize and lead activities.

caaws.ca

Build Capacity

Égale Action

• Académie MentoreActive – 1st ever camp for young women (aged 15-17), based on developing abilities in sport event organization and management. – 20 participants: 1 from each Quebec region + 1 extra from

host region– 5 day camp in Sherbrooke, in partnership with 2013

Canada Games host committee– Workshops, on site observation, volunteering experience,

knowledge sharing by organizing committee members, social activities, etc.

– All expenses paid by Égale Action.

caaws.ca

Build Capacity

Dina Bell-LarocheCoach, West Ottawa Soccer Club

• Incorporates Actively Engaged & True Sport principles

• Performed individual & team goal-setting activities• Adapts approach to address changes in athletes’

physical, emotional and cognitive development• Hosted off-field team bonding, including a 5km run

to raise funds for a charity• Team identified top 3 athletes and “halo of

awesomeness” each game

caaws.ca

Build Capacity

Dina Bell-LarocheCoach, West Ottawa Soccer Club

“Thank so much for taking the time to coach us. Thank you especially for encouraging me to do things I couldn’t even fathom, like running the 5 km!”

“Coach Dina, thank you so much for coaching me another wonderful year of soccer! It has been hard work but all together so much fun! All the laughs we had! I especially liked all the practices because we enjoyed spending time together. I know I will never forget this perfect year of soccer!”

“Coach Dina, thank you so much. You really showed our team what true sport means. Because of you, I improved my fitness and achieved my goals. You were really supportive. Thanks to you so much; this season couldn’t have been more amazing.”

caaws.ca

Build Capacity

Macky SinghCoach, St. Thomas University

• Attended NB LTAD seminar - March 2012• Alignment: on & off field approach / mentorship / ramps• Purposefully gave his athletes responsibility to develop

team goal & adapted coaching accordingly

caaws.ca

Build Capacity

Macky SinghCoach, St. Thomas University

• Wrote a blog on leadership & ownership• Organized a skills day for 8-12 year old girls with

University athletes assisting as coaches

caaws.ca

Strengthen Partnerships

Coaching Association of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador 5 Pin Bowlers’ Assoc.

We Are Coaches Grant

• $1,500 grants to pursue NCCP certification• Provided training for community and competition

level coaches• Key outcomes:

– networking amongst women leaders – Increased education and confidence to take on

additional leadership roles

caaws.ca

Strengthen Partnerships

Fit Active Beautiful FoundationGirls 5K Challenge

• Free 12 week running program for girls, aged 11-14, from low income communities

• Teaches goal setting and self-discovery• Delivered in 10 communities throughout

Hamilton, in partnership with diverse organizations

• Continued engagement after program• Leader in Training for past-participants• Training for volunteer coaches

caaws.ca

Strengthen Partnerships

Fit Active Beautiful FoundationGirls 5K Challenge

“I enjoy FAB because it makes me feel more confident in myself and I now know that I can

set goals and achieve them. I now apply those skills to other aspects of my life such as school.

For example, I actually made the school soccer team the last 2 years.”

- FAB participant

caaws.ca

Research & Evaluation

Vicki HarberUniversity of Alberta

• Educator, researcher & knowledge translator• Member of Sport for Life Leadership Team• Contributor to Actively Engaging Resource• Authored CS4L supplement: The Female Athlete

Perspective

caaws.ca

Research & Evaluation

Louise HumbertUniversity of Saskatchewan

• Educator, researcher & knowledge translator• Contributor to Actively Engaging Resource• Topics include: motivational processes related to

what girls want in phys. ed.; body on display; the challenge of competition

• Past President of PHE Canada• www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqMcHNVWRz0&fe

ature=youtu.be

caaws.ca

Research & Evaluation

Coaching Association of CanadaCanadian Journal for Women in Coaching

• Introduced in September 2000• Timely, accurate & targeted info to aid in creating

a healthier and more positive environment for women coaches in Canada and worldwide

• Practical, hands-on & proactive suggestions and solutions that inform coaches, their employers, parents of athletes, clubs and associations

• Addresses unique challenges facing women

caaws.ca

Research & Evaluation

CAAWS

• Actively Engaging Women and Girls• Sex Discrimination in Sport• Addressing Homophobia in Sport• On the Move – Girls and Young Women

– In Her Voice– Aboriginal, Newcomer, Racialized Girls

• Mothers in Motion • Women 55-70+

• www.caaws.ca• eNetwork – sign up online!

caaws.ca

SheKicks Campaign

• Legacy from University of Victoria hosting 2012 CIS Women’s Soccer Championships– What are YOUR legacy opportunities?

• Promote the involvement of women in soccer at all stages and levels

• 3 components:– SheCoaches– SheReferees– SheLeads

• www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ISwb1WSQDM

caaws.ca

Fast & Female

• Inspiring, motivating and impactful programming • Designed to increase attraction, retention and

success rate of female athletes• Components:

– Champ Camps – Fast & Female TV– Champ Chats – Ambassador Program– Power Hour – Emerging Sport Leaders

• Constant evolution!

• www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBe7PfktrPc

caaws.ca

Damocles Fencing Club

CS4L SummitJan. 2012

PSO CS4L workshop

March

Awareness (why & how)

Club event June

Special board meeting

June

Club planningJuly-Aug.

2012-2013 programming

Sept.

Deliver, adapt, reviseOngoing

PRIORITY commitment

to action

caaws.ca

Success stories

caaws.ca

Emily’s perspective….

• Wanted a coach who listens, respects her goals & helps her on her pathway to the podium

• Making weight – need education and technical support

caaws.ca

Emily’s perspective….

• What it means to be part of a team• Importance of role models

caaws.ca

Emily’s perspective….

Advice to coaches and leaders:• Focus on building a team atmosphere, helping

girls to feel connected• Need to focus on all the girls, not just the best

ones • Pay attention to transitions due to age and

interest, vulnerable stages, specific issues• Provide the support we need to achieve our

goals and/or connect us to those who can. Keep in mind that we’re looking to you for guidance.

caaws.ca

Final thoughts….Everyone has a different story and it affects our

training, our competitions and our goals. Know each

individual and our personal stories so that you can

deal with us better as people and as athletes.-Emily Green, athlete

We focus on creating a positive and fun environment.

We celebrate the successes, small and big. With her

and the others, it’s an intentional way of coaching, to

balance delay of gratification with a steady stream of

positive – to inspire them to keep working so hard

every day. - JP Cantin, coach

caaws.ca

Let’s Hear from You!

Ideas, Tips & Promising Practices

What is working?What lessons have been learned?

caaws.ca

Next Steps

• Promising practices posted online– CAAWS website– CS4L website

• Ongoing promising practice collection and dissemination

• CAAWS Women and Leadership Program– Revised Workshops Launched March 8th

– http://caaws.ca/e/leadership/program/• Ontario Project

– Consultation with CAAWS

caaws.ca

Questions?

Sydney Millar, CAAWS613.562.5667 snmillar@caaws.ca

www.caaws.ca

Lori Johnstone506.449.1248 lorijo@nb.sympatico.ca

Twitter: @LoriJohnstone