Photo by Canada Soccer
Earlier this month, some of our country’s best and brightest women coach developers (educators) gathered at Zanchin Automotive Soccer Centre to take part in a first-of-its-kind FIFA Coach Educators’ Development Pathway workshop. Presented by Canada Soccer and FIFA, the five-day course was offered to women that are completing the necessary components needed to teach the C-diploma across the country.
Leading women from eight Canadian provinces participated in the workshop, including three Coach Developers from Ontario – Hollie Babut, Pickering FC’s Grassroots Program Director, Gabriella Trichilo, ChPc, and Ontario Soccer’s very own Manager of Player and Coach Development, Miranda Wiley.
"Opportunities for women in coaching and coach education are continuing to expand as barriers are removed. These types of programs are crucial for women as they maintain the standard required but in safe and inclusive environments,” said Wiley. “As barriers continue to be removed in providing education to women coaches, I hope it translates into women getting more opportunities in leadership roles and coaching opportunities within the industry.”
Trichilo shared in those sentiments, saying “Coach education in Canada is evolving and the future seems brighter than ever.”
As a mother to a 3-month-old baby, Trichilo had to work out certain accommodations in order to attend the week-long course.
“Not only was I able to participate as a new mom, but my newborn daughter was able to be with me all week, which could have been a barrier to my participation. But instead, the support I received for myself, my baby girl and her caregiver was world-class,” Trichilo said.
The first-ever all-women FIFA Coach Educators’ Development Pathway workshop set a precedent for future programs that seek to make their programs more accessible.
“I started my coach education journey at 18, I am now 38 and I have taken too many courses to count,” Trichilo continued. “The support I received is something I’ve never witnessed others receive, and not only was that a first for me, I was lucky enough to live it firsthand. I thank Canada Soccer and FIFA for this from the bottom of my heart and promise to pay it forward with my endless support to other women in the game two-fold.”
The FIFA Coach Educators’ Development Pathway workshop was led by women master coach developers with assistance from experts in the FIFA Coach Education and Women’s Football Departments. Representatives from Concacaf and the Coaching Association of Canada were also onsite in Vaughan to observe the workshop.
“It was a fantastic week of learning and networking with individuals from FIFA, Canada Soccer, and women across the country who are involved in Coach Education,” said Wiley. “Taking the learnings from the eLearning and online sessions we had the opportunity to apply them into practical coach education sessions both in the classroom and on the field.”
Since January 2024, the women selected for this opportunity have been partaking in asynchronous and synchronous course components leading up to the in-person course the week of April 8-12.
After completing the workshop, participants will receive continued mentorship and support to co-facilitate the Canada Soccer C-diploma.
“We can’t stop here, and … we won’t stop here,” Trichilo said. “I know each one of us is just a little more driven, just a little more inspired to give to the game, to support the game with our learnings. So, when the course was complete, we all went our separate ways but we all went to work, and that means each of us is contributing in a new way in our environments. This will inevitably impact the game and there is no doubt in mind it will be productive and positive.”
The FIFA Coach Educators’ Development Pathway workshop is one of many strategic initiatives Canada Soccer has implemented as our nation prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup – the global pinnacle of the men’s game – looking to ensure that the legacy of this event impacts the very people who lead the game across Canada. The women’s only workshop, the second delivered to date by FIFA & Canada Soccer, also demonstrates the ongoing commitment to gender equity.
“Continuous collaboration between FIFA and Canada Soccer has progressed to the next level. The first ever female-only coach educators course has been successfully organized,” said Branimir Ujevic, Head of Coaching Development at FIFA. “We’ve been able to work together with such a great group of ambitious young coach educators who are willing to make changes in the women’s coaching landscape all over Canada and inspire a new generation of female coaches. We are already excited about the next opportunity to collaborate with Canada Soccer and experience together FIFA’s motto: Football unites the world.”
Click here to read the article from Canada Soccer.
