TELUS She CAN Coach Program

TELUS She CAN Coach is a national coach recruitment, development, and training project designed for women to address the challenges they face regarding soccer participation.

RECRUIT

This program differs from a typical mentorship program as it involves recruitment, training, and development. It aims to support new and entry-level coaches. As part of our efforts, we welcome current woman coaches who have already begun their coaching pathway and are considered new or beginner coaches in club settings to participate in our program.

DEVELOP

Diverse women leaders in sport are critical in creating a welcoming and safe space for girls in sport. This project will strive to support and advance gender equity in soccer by reducing the barriers of entry for women to coach, with the hope that this will increase registration of women and girls and help to balance the gender gap in participation.

INSPIRE

We aim to increase the number of women coaches and encourage more girls to engage in the sport.

“TELUS She CAN Coach will align clubs nationwide to actively recruit, develop and inspire women to become coaches in our game by eliminating barriers, providing a welcoming environment, and ensuring all women interested in coaching have a place where they feel they belong.” – Sara McConaghy, Manager, Development – Director, Community and Fund Development

Canada Soccer is partnering with Alberta Soccer and Soccer Nova Scotia for phase one of this project. We will be expanding to move provinces and territories for phase two set to begin in 2024.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

The application period for phase one of the TELUS She CAN Coach Program has ended and will reopen for phase two in July 2024.

Canada Soccer has selected the following [twelve] Clubs from Alberta and [eight] Clubs from Nova Scotia for the first phase of TELUS She CAN Coach:

ALBERTA:

Eastside Memorial FC
Medicine Hat Soccer Association
Calgary Foothills FC
BTB Soccer Club
Calgary Rangers Soccer Club
Mill Woods Soccer Association (Selects FC)
McKenzie United Soccer Club
Calgary Blizzard Soccer Club
Calgary Rockies FC
Spruce Grove Soccer
New Frontier Soccer Club
Calgary Villains FC

NOVA SCOTIA:

Ignite Soccer
Halifax City Soccer Club
Soccer Cape Breton (Cape Breton FC)
Storm Soccer Club
United DFC
Fundy Youth Soccer Club
Suburban FC
Halifax Dunbrack Soccer Club

Canada Soccer would like to thank all the clubs that have submitted applications for the TELUS She CAN Coach. Additional information regarding the next phases of TELUS She CAN Coach will be released in the near future.

EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

Women based in Alberta or Nova Scotia interested in TELUS She CAN Coach can directly contact Participating Clubs in their province or fill out the Expression of Interest form below. Completed forms are reviewed by Canada Soccer and the associated Provincial Representative, who will help connect those interested with local clubs.

The coach recruitment phase takes place from October to December 2023. We encourage interested individuals to contact participating clubs or complete the provided form during this time frame.

https://soccercanada.formstack.com/forms/telus_she_can_coach_data_collection_survey__copy

We’d like to recognize Guelph Soccer for being the initial community creators of this project. You can view their work and progress toward gender equity here.

Importance of Gender Equity in Sport

Gender Equity is the process of allocating resources, programs, and decision making fairly to all genders without any discrimination on the basis of gender, and addressing any imbalances in the benefits available to people of different genders. – Canadian Women in Sport (CWS)

Telus She CAN Coach is part of Canada Soccer’s women’s and girls’ development strategy. The purpose of Telus She CAN Coach is to recruit and support new and beginner-level coaches. Future phases will aim to offer ongoing support and networking opportunities for existing women coaches, providing coach development opportunities beyond grassroots education.

Canada Soccer acknowledges women coaches across the country who are actively working towards narrowing the gender equity gap in soccer. Through their valuable contributions to the sport, they act as inspiring role models for girls in soccer and aspiring women coaches.

Canada Soccer also acknowledges other organizations and initiatives nationwide that offer exceptional opportunities for women coaches.