High Performance Women in Coaching Mentorship Program

With the support of Sport Canada funding and the federal government priority of gender equity in sport by 2035, the Coaching Association of Canada developed and added the High Performance Women in Coaching Mentorship Program to its existing Women in Coaching program in 2020.

Goal

Support and develop high-performance women coaches in the sport community, including within colleges and universities.

Objectives

Support the development of selected self-identified women (cis and trans) and non-binary coaches
Build a network of women mentors and mentee coaches
Support mentors through a community of practice
Build capacity in the sport community

Engaged network of women coaches with previous experience or currently aspiring towards coaching in a high-performance sport environment
Advanced professional aspects of participants’ coaching practice through access to Chartered Professional Coach designation or Registered Coach License status and associated benefits
Access to professional development opportunities, including mentorship training including Training for Effective Mentees and NCCP Mentorship, and awareness of professional development or employment opportunities related to coaching and sport leadership
Sport organizations gain access to enhanced pipeline of women coaches certified and eligible for current or future opportunities

Mentee coaches will be matched with a Mentor coach, who they will work with throughout the program. Mentee coaches will create a professional development plan, and work with their mentor coaches to achieve their goals. Mentee coaches will meet with their mentor coach a minimum of once per month.

Mentees and mentors will complete the required training workshops. Mentees will participate in three Training for Effective Mentees workshops throughout the program. Mentors will attend the first workshop of Training for Effective Mentees and will also complete NCCP Mentorship, if not previously completed.

There will be opportunities for the program participants to network and build connections through an online platform and virtual meetings. All participants will be invited to a private group on LinkedIn. Mentors are to attend monthly Community of Practice meetings to connect with other mentors in the program.

Participants: Eligibility Criteria

Mentor Coaches

Open to all women (cis and trans women) and non-binary people
Extensive experience coaching at the college, university, or national team level
Experience participating in a mentorship program
Currently obtain Registered Coach license or Chartered Professional Coach designation (cost covered by CAC)

Mentee Coaches

Open to all women (cis and trans women) and non-binary people
Experience coaching in a high-performance sport environment
- High-performance is inclusive of post-secondary, national or provincial level team involvement, and/or NCCP Competition-Development certified
Currently obtain and/or pursuing Registered Coach license or Chartered Professional Coach designation (cost covered by CAC)