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 its inaugural year, AccelerateHER made a measurable impact on women’s participation in advanced coach education by providing financial support to a significant cohort of coaches. A total of 77 women were accepted into Canada Soccer’s Advanced Coach Education Diploma program across the A, B, Children’s, and Goalkeeper streams, and 50 of those coaches received funding through individual AccelerateHER grants. In addition to individual bursaries, the program funded the delivery of five all‑women CONCACAF C Diploma workshops across the country, contributing to a 220 % increase in women participating in advanced coach education compared to the previous year.
In its second year, AccelerateHER advanced gender equity in coaching by offering a fully funded all-women CONCACAF B Diploma, delivered entirely by women coach developers. The program supports 36 women with full course funding, mentorship, and travel bursaries, combining in-person learning, online study, and practical coaching experiences in both official languages.
The details for the third year of AccelerateHER, including how funding will be allocated, will be announced in January 2026.
For any inquiries, please email bnash@canadasoccer.com
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