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→

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

Sheila Robertson has compiled and edited a revised media guide for athletes for CAAWS and the Commonwealth Games Federation.Continue reading→

Despite it being early days, here is an initiative to watch, support, and adapt. Ringette Canada’s Female Coach on the Bench Policy and the subsequent Action Plan may offer a blueprint for other sport organizations to produce a realistic pathway to develop and retain female coaches.Continue reading→

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→