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The Power of Mentorship

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This article was published 24/11/2023 (918 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

What makes an effective female coach? One that motivates, inspires, and sparks passion within their athletes while helping them thrive and develop important skills in sport and life?

The answer is a lot of things. It takes certification, ongoing education and training, and leadership instincts certainly go a long way. But there’s an additional component that helps build confident and competent female coaches who create a positive, safe experience for all.

Sport Manitoba Coaching Female Mentorship Program

Learning from someone who is experienced and knowledgeable in your field is a valuable tool, and building a supportive female coaching community through mentor-mentee pairings can fuel the development of a positive female influence in sport. Plus, it can create special relationships that last a lifetime.

That’s why Sport Manitoba Coaching connects female coaches across the province through the Female Mentorship Program. This program focuses on working with passionate female coaches as mentees and provides them with accomplished female mentors.

Developing Confident Coaches

Two-time Olympian and Sport Manitoba’s 2023 Coach of the Year, rowing coach Janine Stephens has been a mentor in the program for three years.

Janine believes mentorship can lead to a strong, safe coaching and athlete community.

“It starts with the coaches and setting the tone, but also that the coaches feel safe in the space they’re working in,” said Janine. “ I know I haven’t had that experience, but I know other female coaches have had some negative experiences around being a female coach in the environment. And I think having the confidence and the ability to feel safe in the space they’re working in, but then they can pass that on to the athletes on, ‘What does that feel like and what does that look like?’”

When Janine first started coaching, she felt very alone because there wasn’t another coach around her she was familiar with.

“I try to make sure that other people don’t feel that same way.”

“It doesn’t have to be rowing. But supporting them on their journey, whatever that looks like for them, I think is a really positive step moving forward, because it makes them better right away instead of having to navigate it on their own and hope for the best.”

As a coach, learning and professional development are lifelong. And building a reliable network to call upon when you face challenges can have a huge impact.

“The connection to other female coaches has been really nice. And you know, when you see them at events or they have successes, you can cheer them on and be that support person and encourage them to take next steps. I think just having that sense of community around it is a really positive thing.”

The Female Mentorship Program is a yearlong program beginning every September. Learn more at sportmanitoba.ca.

Creating a culture where everyone can thrive is a shared responsibility. Equipping coaches with experienced mentors is one of the ways we’re creating a positive sport experience for all. Learn more about safe sport at sportmanitoba.ca/safesport.