The Benefits of Female Coaches in Youth Sports

Female coaches bring many benefits to the world of sports. Studies show that having female coaches encourages girls to play sports longer because it gives have a female role model to look up to. Female coaches can also have an impact on boys and co-ed teams because of their communication style. No matter how you spin it, female coaches have a positive impact on the youth sports experience, and we should be encouraging women to step into the space! Below are just three of the many benefits female coaches bring to youth sports:

1. ­­Representation

Female coaches provide representation for girls of all ages. Girls see coaches that look like them and it shows that they can aspire to play at elite levels or become a coach if they choose. This representation allows young girls to see a future for themselves that they may not have otherwise thought about.

Representation of female coaches also shows girls that sports can be a place for women and girls, it’s not just for the boys. According to a survey done by the Women’s Sports Foundation, “both experts and program leaders confirm that gender-informed approaches can counter-balance cultural messages that often signal to girls ‘sports are for boys.’ Additionally, female coaches are powerful role models, demonstrating to girls that they belong and deserve to be included in sports, boosting girls’ confidence and inspiring their continued participation.” Female coaches not only prove to young girls that they belong, but that they are capable of reaching elite levels just like their male counterparts.

2. A Different Perspective

Female coaches often bring a coaching style that resonates with all athletes. Their communal style of coaching is usually centered around communication, empathy, and emotional intelligence. This approach to coaching fosters a supportive environment where athletes of all levels feel safe to take risks, express themselves, and grow.

This isn’t to say that female coaches are better or even preferred to male coaches. According to a study by the journal of Psyhcology of Sport and Exercise, “irrespective of their gender, coaches who exhibited a communal style received significantly higher scores in relational competencies. Overall, while the athletes deemed both communal and agentic coaches as strategically competent, communal coaches were appraised more favourably with regards to their capacity to motivate and build character.”

Communal style coaching traits typically include kindness, warmth, and loyalty whereas agentic style coaching traits include assertive, confident, and self-reliant. Though female coaches lean more towards communal style, both male and female coaches that exhibit these behaviors were seen as more favorable by athletes. Educating coaches, both male and female, on the importance of these preferred coaching styles, behaviors, and strategies can encourage both boys and girls to keep playing sports long term.

3. Long-term Participation

Perhaps the most powerful impact of female coaches is that they keep young girls in the game longer. Girls who see women leading on the sidelines are more likely to keep playing, stay active, and eventually give back to the sports community themselves. When youth athletes feel supported, by both their coaches and their family, they’re more likely to stick with sports and maintain an active lifestyle.

 

Female coaches help create a safe, inclusive environment for all athletes! Their communication style inspires lifelong participation in both male and female athletes, and their mere presence represents a glimpse into the future for young girls. Youth sports organizations and parents should encourage women to step into coaching roles. If we want young girls to feel they belong in sports, first we must make sure female coaches belong. When we open more doors for women to coach, we all win.

 

Become a Coach Today

At i9 Sports^®, we make coaching easier than ever! We provide professionally developed drills and practice plans for you so you don’t have to think about it. All of these resources can be accessed on-the-go via our i9 Sports^® GameDay app, available for Apple and Android devices.

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