Canada Soccer Launches AccelerateHER Program

Canada Soccer is proud to launch the AccelerateHER coaching program, a strategic initiative to foster gender equity within Canada Soccer’s Advanced Coaching landscape. The new program will provide comprehensive support to women coaches along a progressive development pathway aligned with the highest coaching standards in our country. 

The AccelerateHER program will train 85 coaches seeking their Coaching Diplomas at either the A, B, C Children’s, and Goalkeeper levels. 

Addressing Gender Disparities in Advanced Coaching 

To date, only 10% of coaches in Canada Soccer’s Advanced Coach Education Program are women. This gender imbalance is attributed to systemic obstacles, including limited opportunities, restricted access, financial barriers, and insufficient support for women aspiring to advance their coaching credentials. This underrepresentation highlights the need for inclusivity and signifies a missed opportunity for diverse perspectives within coaching teams, impacting player development and program effectiveness. 

In response to this challenge, Canada Soccer has introduced the AccelerateHER program as a strategic initiative addressing gender disparities in the country’s sports coaching landscape. The program aims to recruit women coaches nationwide, providing them with enhanced resources and support to expedite their coaching journey. ​ 

Comprehensive Support for Canada Soccer’s Advanced Coach Education 

AccelerateHER will provide robust support to women in Canada Soccer’s Advanced Coach Education Program, offering mentorship, resources, and guidance. The initiative focuses on training 85 women coaches seeking Canada Soccer A, B, C, Children’s, and Goalkeeper Diplomas, ensuring a comprehensive and progressive development pathway aligned with the country’s highest coaching standards. Coaches will receive a bursary to ease financial burdens, access curated training, and be paired with a mentor throughout the program. 

Contributing to the Future of Women’s Soccer in Canada 

Recognising the crucial role of women as role models, the AccelerateHER coaching program encourages girls and women to participate and stay involved in sports actively. The program ensures more women are coaching at the highest levels in Canada. With the recent announcement of Project 8, a new women’s professional soccer league in Canada for 2025, AccelerateHER can be instrumental in providing essential training to fast-track more women into coaching roles. Additionally, the standards-based Canada Soccer Player Development Program (PDP) network requires all coaches to hold advanced certification as well as ensure gender representation in coaching staff, creating further opportunities for women within the coaching pathway. ​ 

The AccelerateHER Program will play a vital role in shaping the future of women’s soccer coaching in Canada. Through essential training, leadership opportunities, and mentorship, the program contributes significantly to the overall growth and success of the sport. The strides made by AccelerateHER promise a more inclusive and diverse coaching landscape, paving the way for sustained excellence in women’s soccer.