Canada Soccer announces second year of AccelerateHER program, expanding opportunities for women coaches

Building on the success of its inaugural year, Canada Soccer is excited to launch the second year of its AccelerateHER program, continuing its mission to advance gender equity in coaching. This year, the program will deliver a fully funded, all-women Concacaf B Diploma.

AccelerateHER is part of Canada Soccer’s broader commitment to fostering gender equity in coaching and ensuring women have the tools and opportunities needed to succeed at the highest levels of the sport. In its second year, the program will fund 36 women coaches to earn the Concacaf B Diploma, offered in both official languages.

Building on success: Key highlights from Year One

The first year of the AccelerateHER program saw a 220 percent increase in women participating in advanced coach education. Notably, the number of women enrolled in the B Diploma increased from 12 to 55, demonstrating the program’s impact. In total, 77 women were accepted into Canada Soccer’s Advanced Coach Education Diploma program (A, B, Children’s and Goalkeeper), with 50 receiving funding through individual AccelerateHER grants.

“The AccelerateHER program is transforming the coaching landscape in Canada by breaking down barriers and creating pathways for women to excel. By providing fully funded access to the Concacaf B Diploma, we are not only investing in the development of women coaches but also shaping a more inclusive and diverse future for soccer in Canada. The growth we’ve seen in just one year is proof of the demand for these opportunities, and we are excited to build on this momentum in Year two.”

– Sara McConaghy, Director, Community Development

In addition to individual grants, Canada Soccer and the AccelerateHER program funded the delivery of five all-women Concacaf C Diplomas across Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta, Quebec and Nova Scotia.

Addressing the Gender Imbalance in Coaching

Canada Soccer’s AccelerateHER program is a strategic initiative aimed at addressing the gender disparity in coaching. Women previously represented just 10 percent of participants in Canada Soccer’s Advanced Coach Education Program, a gap resulting from systemic obstacles such as limited access, financial barriers and a lack of mentorship opportunities. The AccelerateHER program actively works to remove these barriers by providing direct support to women coaches across the country, including mentorship, bursaries and curated training. By increasing the representation of women in coaching roles, Canada Soccer aims to create a more inclusive environment that contributes to the overall growth and success of the sport.

Program Overview & Application Process

The AccelerateHER Concacaf B Diploma provides 36 women coaches with a 12-month, 134-hour course that includes in-person sessions, online learning and practical coaching experiences in both official languages. Participants receive full funding for the program, along with mentorship support and a $500 travel bursary.Applications for the 2025 AccelerateHER Concacaf B Diploma will be open from March 8 to May 30, 2025. For more information on eligibility and the application process, visit https://canadasoccer.com/accelerateher/.