34 international elite women coaches welcomed onto Herts campus as groundbreaking programme recommences
The women, representing 28 countries across 20 different Olympic sports, participated in dynamic workshops, discussions, and team-building activities under the guidance of experienced facilitators and guest speakers.
The 21-month initiative is delivered by Females Achieving Brilliance (FAB) to support the advancement of the careers of elite women coaches. It is funded by Olympic Solidarity.
The success of the course contributed to its director, Professor Elizabeth Pike from the University of Hertfordshire, being named as the Global Winner of the 2024 International Olympic Committee (IOC) Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (GEDI) Champions Award.
Professor of Sport, Health and Exercise at the University of Hertfordshire, Elizabeth Pike said:
“Our objective with WISH is to increase the representation of women coaches at World Championships and the Olympic Games, where women constitute up to only 13% of coaches. The programme is designed to help women coaches succeed in gaining roles at elite coaching levels within their sport.
“To date, 120 women coaches from 21 sports and 59 countries have graduated, nominated by their International Federations for their potential in top-level coaching. More than a dozen WISH graduates took part in the Paris Olympic Games.
“Key elements of the programme include enhancing confidence and developing leadership and sport-specific skills, knowledge and experience. This is delivered via a 21-month programme, including 5 days of residential sessions and a mix of online leadership and mentoring sessions.”
Based on a coach empowerment model, coaches undertook sessions which include the following highlights during the weeklong programme:
- Building a strong coaching culture
- Leadership under pressure
- Managing conflict and having courageous conversations
- Visualising future goals and career planning
- Creating inclusive environments and reframing networking
One participant was Romanian fencer Oana Puiu, who had also chance to meet and discuss coaching with Annamarie Phelps, Olympian and current vice chair of the British Olympic Association.
Oana said:
“I would like to express my sincere gratitude in making it possible for me to participate in the WISH programme. I’ve just completed one of the most exciting, inspiring and enriching weeks of my professional journey. The programme was led with great professionalism and energy by a team of outstanding facilitators, including Professor Lindsay Bottoms.
“I am proud to represent fencing for the very first time in this global programme, now in its fifth cohort. This was not only a personal milestone, but a historic moment for our sport.”
British coaches who have graduated from WISH include England women’s rugby coach Tamara Taylor, Naomi Folkard former Olympian and now Olympic archery coach, and Helen Brown, current Director of Rowing at Twickenham Rowing Club where she has coached six members onto Team GB.