New research published today by UK Coaching as part of UK Coaching Week has revealed how mums could be the answer to stopping the sharp decline in the number of female volunteer sports coaches.
With the proportion of female volunteer coaches falling sharply by 10% (40% to 30%) from 2022 to 2024 (as reported in UK Coaching’s Gender Spotlight Report earlier this year), the research conducted by YouGov Sport on behalf of UK Coaching revealed that over a third (34%) of mums who aren’t currently involved in their children’s sports clubs want to give coaching a try but are put off by barriers including a lack of confidence and knowledge of individual sports. The research also highlighted that 4 out of 5 (83%) mums do not play any role or have any involvement in their children’s sport club.
Former Lioness, coach and new mum Anita Asante, backed calls to give mums more opportunities to try coaching at an event with UK Coaching at Faversham Strike Force FC, one of the country’s leading girls’ grassroots football clubs. Asante joined a girls session run by mums from the club alongside Emily Handyside, Coaching Lead at UK Coaching. The club recently launched a ‘This Mum Can’ campaign to understand the barriers faced by mums wanting to enter coaching and help them become volunteer coaches.
The decline in the number of female sports coaches revealed in UK Coaching’s Gender Spotlight report in January comes against a backdrop of spectacular growth in other areas of women and girls sport with participation on the rise along with record attendances and TV audiences for women’s sport.
This is expected to continue with the Women’s Euros in Switzerland in just under a month where holders England and Wales, competing in their first ever major championship, face each other in the group stage on 13 July.
UK Coaching recently reaffirmed its commitment to support and work together with the sector to address inequalities and barriers faced by female coaches working at all levels and is set to develop an action plan against this key developing issue. The charity’s Women in Coaching Hub provides resources and advice to support women and mums on their coaching journey including those taking their first steps into volunteer coaching.
Emily Handyside, UK Coaching’s, Coaching Lead, said: “The recent decline in the number of female volunteer coaches is a worrying trend but this research shows that there’s clearly a huge pool of mums out there who want to coach if those barriers can be overcome. We’ve seen how this can be done with the brilliant work at Faversham Strike Force FC and UK Coaching is committed to providing the support and help that mums and women need to take that first step into coaching as a volunteer.”
Former Lioness Anita Asante, added: “We know how important female coaches are as role models for girls especially when it comes to staying in sport and being active into their teenage years so it’s vital we find ways to halt this decline in female volunteer coaching especially at a time when more girls than ever are inspired by the Lionesses and other female sporting heroes. As a coach and a mum with a young daughter, I’m passionate about creating more opportunities for mums and women to coach especially at volunteer level. In what will be another huge summer of women’s sport it’s really important that women feel inspired to coach and get the support they need.”
Lee Suter, Development Officer, Faversham Strike Force FC, commented: “We believe that football and sport should be for everyone and we’re committed to breaking down barriers in coaching by making it accessible, especially for mums who might not have considered it before. We’re dedicated to fostering a welcoming and supportive community for mums and female coaches and are really proud of the mums who over the last few months have started their coaching journey with us.”
To find out more about UK Coaching’s support for women in coaching visit the UK Coaching Women in Coaching Hub
UK Coaching Week which takes place between 2 & 8 June is about celebrating coaching and the power of great coaching and includes a Women in Coaching Day on Wednesday 4 June.
This year UK Coaching want to highlight the power of great coaching advice by encouraging coaches, organisations, and the public to share their stories and the best coaching advice they’ve received by using #PassItOn!
To find out more about UK Coaching Week visit: https://www.ukcoaching.org/campaigns/uk-coaching-week/