At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Team Canada made history by sending its largest ever group of female athletes, comprising over 60% of the total team. However, the coaching staff painted a different picture, with only 19% being women. Projections indicate that the figure for the Milano-Cortina Olympics is expected to be around 10%.
Despite numerous initiatives for gender equality over the years, the number of female coaches in elite sports has remained stagnant. This lack of progress raises doubts about the feasibility of the federal government’s 2018 commitment to achieving gender equity across all sporting levels by 2035.
While progress has been seen in sectors outside of sports, elite sports continue to lag behind due to factors such as family responsibilities, traditional views on leadership, and challenges to female authority. Former Sailing Canada coach and Olympian Lisa Ross pointed out that the leadership in sports remains unchanged, with a generation that struggles to accept women as equals in coaching roles.
Statistics show that since 2016, women have consistently made up less than one-fifth of Olympic coaches for Summer Games and around one-tenth for Winter Games. Despite spending less on high-performance sports than countries like the U.S. and the U.K., Canada slightly surpasses the global Olympic average of 13% female coaches.
The federal government has invested millions of dollars in programs to support women’s coaching development, with a recent commitment of $25.3 million over three years to promote gender equity in sports. This funding includes initiatives to increase the representation of women in coaching and leadership positions.
Adam van Koeverden, the Secretary of Sport and an Olympian, acknowledges the slow progress in achieving gender equity but remains optimistic about reaching the 2035 goal. He emphasizes the importance of setting bold goals and aspirations to drive meaningful change.
To coach at the Olympic level in Canada, individuals must meet stringent technical and safety requirements, including certification through the National Coaching Certification Program and adherence to Safe Sport mandates. The Canadian Olympic Committee ensures that coaches meet these professionalism and conduct benchmarks.
Despite efforts to promote gender equity in coaching, challenges persist for female coaches, particularly regarding the “motherhood penalty” that affects their career longevity. The experiences of coaches like Allison McNeill and Lisa Ross underscore the need for structural interventions to support women in coaching roles.
The lack of diversity in coaching, especially for women of color, further complicates the path to leadership positions. Cheryl Jean-Paul, a head basketball coach, highlights the importance of intentional efforts to create opportunities for women of color in coaching roles.
While progress has been made on various fronts, there is still a need to address systemic barriers that hinder the advancement of women, especially those from underrepresented groups. Without proactive measures and structural changes, achieving gender equity in sports by 2035 may remain a distant goal.
