This year, the program will deliver a fully-funded, all-women Concacaf B Diploma. 

AccelerateHER is part of Canada Soccer’s broader commitment to fostering gender equity in coaching and ensuring women have the tools and opportunities needed to succeed at the highest levels of the sport. In its second year, the program will fund 36 women coaches to earn the Concacaf B Diploma, offered in both official languages. 

Target Coach:

The B Diploma was designed for those coaching in Youth Standard Based Player Development programs (PDP), Colleges, Universities, and/or Professional Youth Academy players. Priority acceptance will be given to those actively coaching in those environments.

Pre-Requisite:

• Valid Canadian C Diploma or approved International Equivalent that has been held for a minimum of 12 months
• Currently coaching a youth or senior team
• Valid Criminal Record Check

Course Duration: 134 hours (12 months)

Learning Environment:

• 2 x 3.5 days, in-person (classroom & field),
• Independent Online Learning (asynchronous),
• Collaborative Online Learning (synchronous),
• Collaborative Group Learning (mentor supported),
• Delivered in both official languages.

Attendance:

Coaches must attend 100% of the in-person and online sessions to be licenced.

Licence Validity:

Upon successful completion of the B Diploma, the coach will receive a coaching licence valid for three (3) years. The licence may be maintained by following the Canada Soccer Maintenance and Renewal Process.

Admission Process:

• Application Window: Open from March 8 – May 30, 2025. The application form will be turned off at the end of the business day on May 30. No applications received after this time will be eligible for consideration.
• Application Review: All applicants will be screened during the months of May and June, with responses to all applicants no later than June 30, 2025.
• Selected candidates will have thirty (30) days to accept their place on the course. If a selected candidate rejects their place on the course, it will be offered to the next suitable candidate.

Please note: If you’ve already applied for the Concacaf B Diploma through Advanced Coach Education, Canada Soccer Coach Education will contact you to confirm your interest in applying for the AccelerateHER B-Diploma and provide an application.

COURSE FEE: FULLY FUNDED

The fully-funded Diploma includes:

• Free entry into the Diploma
• $500 travel bursary
• Ongoing mentor support throughout the course
• Full access to all course content
• In-person classroom and field rentals
• Use of course delivery tools for in-person, online asynchronous, and online synchronous sessions
• Canada Soccer-branded Nike equipment (excluding boots and trainers)

Additional Fees:

Coaches will be required to cover any additional costs of travel, accommodation, and meals when attending the in-person sessions. Any costs associated with video recording of practical coaching sessions will be at the coach’s expense. This fully funded program provides participants with access to Diploma training, mentorship, and a $500 travel bursary while also ensuring they receive the support they need throughout the course.

2025/26 AccelerateHER B Diploma Workshop In–Person Information:

November 2025 & July 2026 – Exact dates TBD

The first year of the AccelerateHER program saw a 220 per cent increase in women participating in advanced coach education. Notably, the number of women enrolled in the B Diploma increased from 12 to 55, demonstrating the program’s impact. In total, 77 women were accepted into Canada Soccer’s Advanced Coach Education Diploma program (A, B, Children’s and Goalkeeper), with 50 receiving funding through individual AccelerateHER grants. 

Ontario Soccer played a key role in advancing gender equity in coaching through its collaboration with Canada Soccer's AccelerateHER program. This initiative, designed to support women in coaching, provided financial aid and training opportunities, including all-women C-Diploma workshops. In 2024, thirteen Ontario coaches were selected for the program, reflecting the province’s commitment to fostering diverse coaching talent. Additionally, Ontario Soccer offered a C Diploma course exclusively for female coaches, further reinforcing its dedication to breaking barriers in the sport. 

The AccelerateHER program is transforming the coaching landscape in Canada by breaking down barriers and creating pathways for women to excel. By providing fully funded access to the Concacaf B Diploma, we are not only investing in the development of women coaches but also shaping a more inclusive and diverse future for soccer in Canada. The growth we’ve seen in just one year is proof of the demand for these opportunities, and we are excited to build on this momentum in Year two.

- Sara McConaghy, Director, Community Development

In addition to individual grants, Canada Soccer and the AccelerateHER program funded the delivery of five all-women Concacaf C Diplomas across Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. 

Canada Soccer’s AccelerateHER program is a strategic initiative aimed at addressing the gender disparity in coaching. Women previously represented just 10 percent of participants in Canada Soccer’s Advanced Coach Education Program, a gap resulting from systemic obstacles such as limited access, financial barriers and a lack of mentorship opportunities. The AccelerateHER program actively works to remove these barriers by providing direct support to women coaches across the country, including mentorship, bursaries and curated training. By increasing the representation of women in coaching roles, Canada Soccer aims to create a more inclusive environment that contributes to the overall growth and success of the sport. 

The AccelerateHER Concacaf B Diploma provides 36 women coaches with a 12-month, 134-hour course that includes in-person sessions, online learning and practical coaching experiences in both official languages. Participants receive full funding for the program, along with mentorship support and a $500 travel bursary. Applications for the 2025 AccelerateHER Concacaf B Diploma will be open from March 8 to May 30, 2025. For more information on eligibility and the application process, visit https://canadasoccer.com/accelerateher/.