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» Coaching Female Athletes

This publication is designed as a reference for coaches of female athletes. The publication provides information about the needs, interests and experiences of female athletes to support coaches in fostering their physical, mental, emotional and social potential. Regardless of the gender of the coach, he or she must recognize the specific needs of their athletes and understand the unique characteristics of female athletes.

This publication was originally developed in 2001 by the Coaches Association of British Columbia in partnership with ProMOTIONPlus. It was based on discussions about coaching female athletes with eight coaches and three female athletes with experience spanning several years, ages, and levels, from grassroots to international competition.

Recognizing the strong demand for this resource and the updated research in the field of coaching female athletes, Coaches BC began the review process in 2010. Coaches BC is excited to launch the revised publication along with a complementary workshop and website resources in 2011

Coaching Female Athletes PDF 

To order hard copies of the resource please use our Course Application and Materials Request Form. Individual hard copies of the resource are free to members of Coaches BC.  Bulk orders are also available. 

If you would like to quote or reprint from our publication, please request permission and use the following reference:

Watson, L. J. (2011).  Coaching Female Athletes.  Richmond, BC: Coaches Association of BC.  

Project Expert Team

Coaches BC would like to thank the following individuals for their generous contribution to the update of this publication, as it would not have been possible without their expertise and valuable insights.

Christine Bradstock - ProMOTION Plus
Kristine Chambers - Exceleration Multisport
Sheilagh Croxon - CAC Women in Coaching
Vicki Harber - University of Alberta
Nicole Lark - Breathe Fitness
Sydney Millar - CAAWS
Penny Werthner - University of Ottawa

Project Leader
Laura Watson - Coaches Association of BC

Organizations

British Columbia Centre of Excellence for Women’s Health

Canadian Association of the Advancement of Women and Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS) 
Canadian Sport for Life / Long Term Athlete Development
ProMOTION Plus
Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport
Women in Coaching - Coaching Association of Canada (CAC)
Women's Sports Foundation

Publications and Resources 

The Young Female Athlete: Using the Menstrual Cycle as a Navigational Beacon for Healthy Development (Canadian Journal for Women in Coching - Harber; 2011)
Reducing the Incidence of ACL Injuries (LA84 Foundation)
LTAD - Implication for the Female Athlete (Harber; 2009)
The Female Athlete Perspective - Coach / Parent / Administrator Guide (Harber; 2008)
LTAD & Female Athlete: Psychosocial Considerations (Humbert, Beliveau; 2009)
Female Athlete Development 2010 Update (Harber, Beliveau; 2010)
The Female Athlete Triad (American Academy of Family Physicians; June 1, 2000)
Self-Esteem, Sport and Physical Activity (CAAWS; 2003)
In Her Voice (CAAWS, 2009)
The Health Benefits of Physical Activity for Girls and Women (BCCEWH; 2000)
Developing Physically Active Girls: An Evidence-based Multidisciplinary Approach (Tucker Center Research Report; 2007)
Her Life Depends On It II: Sport, Physical Activity, and the Health and Well-Being of American Girls and Women (Women's Sports Foundation; 2009)
Physical activity of Canadian children and youth: Accelerometer results from the 2007 to 2009 Canadian Health Measures Survey (Statistics Canada, Catalogue no. 82-003-XPE • Health Reports, Vol. 22, no. 1, March 2011)
Olga Kotelko: The 91-year-old track star