Gender equality is a prominent topic in the current political, economic and cultural landscapes but it is also a prevalent concern in sport. The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) has long been an advocate for expanding female involvement in sport, which is evident through the association's Female Apprentice Coach Program (FACP).
For fourteen seasons the CCAA has administered the FACP with the support of Sport Canada, successfully introducing 215 young women to the coaching profession. Each year more than a dozen applicants are selected as apprentice coaches, often for the teams that they previously competed for. Through mentorship these women build upon their experiences as athletes to become future leaders in sport.
Coaches are powerful figures in the sport system and are uniquely positioned to influence their athletes. However, a statistic from CAAWS (Canadian Association for the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity) states that only 25% of coaches in Canada are women. The Government of Canada has also taken notice and has stated its goal is to achieve gender equality in the sport system by 2035.
The CCAA has been proactive in increasing female representation behind the bench and will continue to foster the pursuit for gender equality in sport. With your support we can see this initiative evolve and help narrow the gender gap in coaching.
To donate to the CCAA's Female Apprentice Coach Program, please click here:
DONATE TO THE FACP