Women’s Advanced Coach Education Program

A strategic initiative to foster gender equity within Canada Soccer’s advanced coaching landscape, AccelerateHER invests in the development of women coaches in Canada. The program provides financial support for advanced coaching opportunities, with each year taking a unique approach to address the evolving needs and priorities of women pursuing advanced coach education. Funding may be directed toward different aspects of development each year, ensuring participants have meaningful pathways to grow their skills, gain experience, and advance their coaching careers.  

In Year 1 (2024–2025)

AccelerateHER increased women’s participation in advanced coach education by supporting 50 women in Canada Soccer’s Advanced Coach Education Diploma (A, B, Children’s, and Goalkeeper streams) through individual grants and by funding five all-women CONCACAF C Diploma workshops nationwide.

In Year 2 (2025–2026)

The program further advanced gender equity by fully funding an all-women CONCACAF B Diploma delivered entirely by women coach developers, supporting 36 women through comprehensive course funding, mentorship, travel bursaries, and a blended learning model offered in both official languages. 

Year 3 – 2026-2027

Year 3 will emphasize grassroots coaching with the inaugural, fully funded All-Women’s Children’s Diploma—a first for Canada Soccer—alongside the delivery of three all-women C Diplomas. The Children’s Diploma will enable 20 women coaches to complete the program free of charge in a dedicated women-only learning environment, with each participant receiving a $500 travel bursary to help reduce financial barriers. 
The province(s) selected to host the all-women C Diplomas, as well as information directing coaches to their application process, will be announced by April 30, 2026.  
More details about the AccelerateHER Children’s Diploma, including the application link, are provided below. The application opens on February 17 and closes on May 1, 2026.  
AccelerateHER Children’s Diploma 
In Year 3, the AccelerateHER Program will fully fund 20 women coaches to complete the Children’s Diploma within a dedicated women-only cohort. The Diploma will be delivered in English. 

OVERVIEW

Boost your impact in Grassroots development by earning a specialized coaching diploma designed to raise the profile of coaching in Grassroots. This advanced program deepens your understanding of the complete developmental needs of young players—on and off the field. 
Through this diploma, coaches will gain enriched knowledge in the holistic development of children and Grassroots Programming, including technical development, physical literacy, psychological well-being, and social connection. You’ll learn, child-centered coaching methods that inspire confidence, nurture creativity, and build a lifelong love for the game. 
Priority Acceptance: Preference is given to applicants actively coaching in u8 – u13 environments.

Prerequisites

To apply, you must meet all the following criteria: 

• Licence: Completed Online Theory and Practical Grassroots Workshops training for Active Start, Fundamentals, and Learn to Train. 
• Role: Currently coaching or Leading Grassroots programming U13 and below 
• Clearance: Valid Criminal Record Check. 
• Duration: 12 Months (120 Hours) 

Course Details

• Start Date: September 27 – 30, 2026 and September 2027 (TBD)
• Location: Vaughan, Ontario (Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre) 
• Validity: 3 Years (Renewable via Maintenance Process)  

Format & Attendance

•  In-Person: Two workshops (3.5 days each) comprising classroom and field work.
• Online: A mix of self-paced (asynchronous) and collaborative (synchronous) learning. 
• Attendance Policy: Coaches must attend 100% of all sessions to be licenced. 
• Language: This Diploma will be offered and delivered in English.  
   

Course Fees (Fully Funded)

• Free entry into the Diploma 
• $500 travel bursary 
• Ongoing mentor support throughout the course 
• Full access to all course content 
• In-person classroom and field rentals 
• Use of course delivery tools for in-person, online asynchronous, and online synchronous sessions
• Canada Soccer-branded Nike equipment (excluding boots and trainers) 

Additional Fees: 

Coaches will be required to cover any additional costs of travel, accommodations, and meals when attending the in-person sessions. Any costs associated with video recording of practical coaching sessions will be at the coach’s expense. 

Admissions Timeline

• Apply (February 17 – May 1): Applications close strictly at the end of the business day on April 30.
• Review (May): All applicants are screened during this period.
• Notification (By May 31): Acceptance or rejection notices are sent. 
• Acceptance: Selected candidates have 30 days to accept their spot and pay the fee in full. 

 To apply for the AccelerateHER Children’s Diploma, click here.