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arrow pointing leftBack 27 January 22 - by England Squash

Where are all the female coaches?

Look around a court and you’ll see plenty of women playing squash. But coaching? Not so much. Female coaches are wonderful role models for women and young girls, proving it’s possible to be a confident, strong, and competitive leader no matter your gender. That’s why it’s so important that we keep this momentum going and create a more inclusive environment where female coaches can thrive.

Why we need more female coaches

Female coaches get it. They understand how factors such as periods, body image, self-esteem, the pelvic floor, and finding the right sports bra can sometimes discourage females from playing, especially in a male-dominated environment. Having a coach that understands how they can affect performance and adapting a session accordingly is a comfort every female player needs.

A woman coaching a girl on a squash court

It also helps to educate male coaches on these issues so that they can provide the right support. Sarah Parkins, a squash coach in Northants, talks about the importance of having a male ally in coach Mike Broadbent:

“Mike’s encouragement is constant and unwavering. He watched a webinar aimed at men who teach and coach females and was really enthused by what he had learned.

"He previously had no idea about the importance of a correctly fitting sports bras and pelvic floors and now has some understanding of why some of his ladies who are mums are reluctant to do star jumps if we do a HIIT session.”

Be a male ally for women in coaching

As coaches are predominately men, there needs to be plenty of advice available to drive change and encourage more women to pursue their dream of becoming a squash coach. If you’re a male ally, you can help beat the bias by:

Recognising their talent and skills – If you know a female squash player that would make the perfect coach, tell them! Getting this kind of recognition from a male ally will give them the boost they need to apply.

Challenging inappropriate behaviour - Whether it’s on the court or in a WhatsApp group, if you see someone being rude, dismissive, or derogatory towards a female coach, speak up.

Listening to women and girls – Chat to your female players and coaches and take any feedback they have on board. Actively listening will help them feel respected both on and off the court.

A woman and a man on a squash court talking

Being aware that there isn’t a one size fits all approach – There isn’t just one female experience. Women of colour, women with disabilities, and women involved in high performance sport will all have different needs. Make sure you’re conscious of this and adapt your sessions to help them feel welcomed.

Educating yourself – Start to see things from a different perspective. Read books by female coaches, watch programmes such as Driving Force on ITV, or attend webinars that help you understand the female experience.

Do you work with a woman that would help inspire the next generation of squash players? Encourage them to start their coaching journey now - we’re offering more than 50% off our female-only Level 1 Coach Development programme until Monday 31 January. Find out more.