European Social Fund in England

Women into coaching London (WIC)

'Women into Coaching - London' provides women across London with the skills and training required to move into or progress within sports coaching or leadership. It uses sport as a means to engage in learning and up-skill, as well as provide support to women who face traditional barriers to employment within the sector.

The objectives of the project are:

• To increase the number of women involved in sports coaching and leadership in London
• To increase the number of women attaining coaching and leadership accreditation
• To provide a learner centred framework to support women throughout and beyond the programme
• To raise the profile of women as sports coaches and leaders in London
• To share best practice to influence equitable access for women at all levels of the coaching pathway.

The project is led by the UK wide charity, Women's Sports Foundation (WSF), whose goal is to improve and promote opportunities for women and girls to participate in a sport or physical activity of their choice. It is based on a London-wide partnership approach encompassing key organisations working in the sports sector.

Strategic partners include: Sport England London and SkillsActive, the Sector Skills Council for Active Leisure and Learning. The latter's role is primarily to ensure that the project aligns with the sector's priorities at regional level. Delivery partners include Sports Leaders UK, sportscoachUK, London Active Partnership, Rugby Football Union for Women, Football Association, Amateur Swimming Association and the British Amateur Gymnastics Association. WSF has also been working closely with another organisation with expertise in dealing with the target group, the Women's Resource Centre, funded through the Pan-London LSC Programme to deliver the 'Elevate' project (see other September 2005 case-study).

Research suggests that there are few opportunities for women to get involved in coaching and leadership programmes in the capital, a problem reflected by the fact that only 8% of the coaches at the 2004 Olympic Games were women. WiC addresses real priorities at a local level by focusing on one of the capital's fastest growing sectors, particularly in light of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games being awarded to London. The tailored support available to women enrolled on WiC aims to develop and empower women as sport coaches and leaders by tackling the specific barriers identified by Sport England in the London Plan for Sport and Physical Activity (The plan is endorsed by: Mayor of London, Greater London Authority, Home Office, Department of Health, National Health Service, Association of London Government, Chief Cultural and Leisure Officers Association and Government Office for London.). Once trained, the sports coaches and leaders can then work in the community to inspire other females to take part in sport and physical activity.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and Olympics Minister, Tessa Jowell MP has expressed her support for the project by stating that: "Initiatives such as Women into Coaching - London are commendable, [and] making a real difference to women who otherwise would face obstacles to realising their full potential."

Project delivery

The project will be delivered between January 2005 and December 2006 and planned outputs and outcomes include:

• At least 75 women trained as sports coaches/leaders
• At least 25 learners to achieve a Level 1 qualification and at least 50 learners to achieve a Level 2 qualification. The disciplines on offer are rugby, football, gymnastics, swimming and community sports leadership.
• 25 learners progressing towards further learning, training or education on leaving the Programme.
• 1 Report focusing on employer needs within the sector.

ESF Matters - Making a difference to people's lives

The project's learners

The project seeks to engage women on two levels. The first group accepted onto the scheme will include women with little or no previous experience in sports coaching or leadership who want to improve confidence, face a new challenge and perhaps try a new career path. The second intake will target women who are currently involved in sport coaching and wish to develop their coaching qualifications and improve their employment and career opportunities.

Flexible training provision, shadowing opportunities and the support of a personal mentor will form part of a tailor made programme of continuous professional development (CPD). Delivery includes contributions by successful female coaching role models who will share their own experiences of overcoming barriers (e.g. disability, cultural) to sports coaching or participation.

Learners' stories

29-year old Zarina Camal (right) comes from Thamesmead and is receiving coaching training in swimming. Zarina has competed in athletics in the past and now wants to become a coach and make a difference in the community. She says: "As a keen competitor who wanted to progress to a higher level, I received little support which encouraged me to become a coach and make a real difference for other athletes. The WiC - London project will help me to use my skills and qualifications in order to benefit the community. Through acting as a mentor and role model I have already seen an increase in participation by females."

Katie Oelman, 17, from Plumstead is a full-time student progressing towards her Alevels and working towards a Community Sports Leaders Award and Rookie Lifeguard. She wants to get a job working within swimming or sport in general: "I want other children to have the same good experiences that I have had. I want to help them develop as individuals in life using sport as the medium to help build their self belief and foster lifelong friendships".

Kathy Birkett, a 19-year old FA Junior Coach, has reached national level in a number of sports including athletics and swimming and is very excited about completing the rugby coaching course. She particularly welcomes the tailored support available through the project which helps women to break down barriers to sport coaching: "It is good that I will have a mentor to support me through the courses as I am still young."

   

Funding

WiC, led by WSF, has been granted approximately £196,000 of European Social Funding under Objective Three (Specification 5.1b).

The funding has come through the Pan-London co-financing round which is managed by ECOTEC Research & Consulting (www.ecotec.com) on behalf of the 5 Learning & Skills Councils (London North, East, South, West and Central) in London.

For further information

For further information about European Social Funding and the LSC Pan-London ESF Objective 3 Programme, please visit:

• www.esf.gov.uk
• www.lsc.gov.uk
• www.LondonO3.ecotec.co.uk

To find out more about the LSC Pan-London ESF O3 Programme, please contact the Pan-London O3 Team within ECOTEC (020 7089 1976; LondonO3@ecotec.co.uk). To contact Zoe Calder, project manager of WiC, please phone 0207 273 1740 or 07813 842 882 or email z.calder@wsf.org.uk. Further information about the project and about the work of WSF is available at: www.wsf.org.uk. For information on how to get women and girls involved in sport and physical activity check out WSF's new website 'whatworksforwomen' (www.whatworksforwomen.org.uk). Aimed at teachers, coaches, leaders and deliveres, it includes examples of innovative initiatives and good practice.