Rationale
The latest sports participation figures indicate that more than 30% of female adults are not taking part in enough sporting activity to stay healthy and women’s sports participation is declining. However linking with the highly successful ‘This Girl Can’ campaign there has never been a more exciting time to get involved in sport for women & girls in the North East.

Delivery
The Sport England endorsed Women and Girls Coaching Conference was designed to benefit both coaches of women and girls and female coaches, working with grassroots through to elite performance athletes and participants, following feedback received from NGBs, local partner organisations and coaches.  As a response, we provided insight led sessions delivered by local experts who could pass on their knowledge and experience to the audience.  Workshops covered a range of relevant topics including recruiting and retaining new female participants, the importance of strength and conditioning for female athletes, gender stereotypes and solutions to the challenges female coaches face. sportscoach UK were also in attendance to share their research findings  in regard to the key social and cultural barriers that influence women’s and girls’ participation.

Success
55 coaches attended the conference (16 male & 39 female). 25 different sports were represented, with attendees from a range of organisations including performance coaches, club volunteers, local authority staff, NGB officers and the National Trust. The overall evaluation rated the conference as “excellent”, with 98% welcoming an annual event, 83% gained new ideas and 68% acquired new knowledge.

Future Development
Our intention is to make this an annual event, attracting new and past attendees. All attendees have registered with the coaching database, which has formed the basis for our women & girl focus groups. We will deliver specialist training opportunities throughout the year to further develop the local workforce in areas of sports psychology, sports nutrition, sharing good practice and retention of high performance athletes. We will work with NGB’s and local partners to raise the profile and importance of having experienced coaches, delivering high quality activity to woman and girls.

Impact

“The conference was excellent, I found it stimulating and the workshops were particularly helpful and thought provoking” Endurance Coach

“Definitely want to see it as an annual event!!” NGB Regional Officer

“Very informative and well-structured” Multisport Leader

“Really good informative experience and good opportunities to network with other” L2 football & netball

“A huge thanks for last night’s Conference.  I am NOT just saying this but I was genuinely inspired coming away from it”  NGB Regional Officer

“A huge thanks for last night’s Conference. I was genuinely inspired coming away from it” Tennis NGB

 

The inaugural women and girls coaching conference was delivered in partnership with County Durham Sport, Tees Valley Sport and Tyne & Wear Sport