New Book by Sheila Hurtig Robertson

The Women Coach Internship Programme, launched at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, was a resounding success and created enduring bonds of friendship and support.

When the women crowded into a small room in the Athletes Village for their first meeting, no one knew what to expect and there was no hint that something extraordinary was about to happen. But almost immediately, a powerful connection was established.

This book is testimony to these remarkable women. Check it out.

Stories of Resilience and Courage

 

A tribute to the leadership of women coaches at the Tokyo Games by Sheila Robertson

For Canadians, the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games reflected the growing presence of women as outstanding athletes and as medal-producing coaches. For the women coaches, the numbers were small – 22 out of a total of 131 coaches at the Olympics and 10 out of 43 at the Paralympics were women – but their impact was powerful, not only in terms of medals but as exemplars for girls and women who aspire to join the profession.Continue reading

Article in Canadian Journal for Women in Coaching

Sheila Robertson’s latest article for the Canadian Journal for Women in Coaching: Generosity Pays Dividends.

“This is a story with many dimensions, but one indisputable conclusion: when circumstances become opportune, women coaches can flourish in university sport as full-time paid employees. Admittedly, benefactors such as Sheryl and Dave Kerr, whose generosity has made McGill University’s Women in Sport initiative possible, are rare. However, what is unfolding at McGill could, and should, prompt other Canadian institutions to investigate a similar approach to furthering opportunities for the many skilled women coaches in their ranks. All advocates of women coaches can be encouraged by the career pathways being developed at McGill.”

Download the Article: https://coach.ca/sites/default/files/2020-07/CJWC%20-%20July%202020-en.pdf

Commonwealth Games Federation: Far-reaching Gender Equality Strategy a First for Sport

By Sheila Robertson.

At the higher levels of international sport, much has been written (and some lip service paid) about the importance of gender equality. But words without action are worthless, and sport remains far from a level playing field for millions of girls and women around the world. WE are therefore encouraged by the actions of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) for its recently launched Gender Equality Strategy (GES), which covers many areas of relevance to girls and women throughout the Commonwealth. Continue reading

Sometimes the truth is not what it seems

By Sheila Robertson and Bruce Robertson

From time to time, various media outlets drag out the claim that prior to the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Canada was the only host nation to fail to win an Olympic gold medal on home soil, and not only once but twice. The first occasion was the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal and the second the Olympic Winter Games in Calgary 12 years later.Continue reading