• Session overview–Why is there a need for Project 500?– How did Project 500 come about?–Who is involved with Project 500?–What is Project 500?–What does the delivery of Project 500

look like?– Q & A

• Why Project 500?

- Women are underrepresented in coaching (31% of coaches, of which only 18% hold a qualification)

- Women offer different life and leadership qualities

- Women understand the psychological and social pressures female athletes and participants experience

• Why Project 500?

- The majority of high-profile are male

- Increasing the number of female coaches provides role models for female participants

- Sport England Youth and Community strategy i.e. engaging a more diverse population in sport

• How did Project 500 come about?- One year pilot programme established in Hampshire

• Who is involved in Project 500?- Seven CSPs from across the South East- sports coach UK- Sport England- Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF)- National Governing Bodies of Sport

• What is Project 500?

- Launched on International Women’s day to address the imbalance of females in coaching

- A two-year project (April 2013-March 2015)

- Looks to achieve four main objectives

• Project 500 Objectives

1. Recruit, develop, deploy and/or retain 500 female coaches across the South East between April

2013 and March 2015 2. Establish a culture of support for female coaches

including mentoring, co-coaching, communities of learning and coach observations to underpin

coach development and deployment 3. Raise the profile of females in coaching through

the development of a “women’s coaching network” 4. Create clear guidelines and provide a body of

evidence to encourage the roll out of this project nationally from April 2015 “Project 5000”

• Benefits to an NGB- A more fit-for-purpose and diverse workforce to drive female

participation at all levels i.e. supporting NGB products and programmes

- Profile, reward and recognition of your female coaches - Promote role models by recruiting local ambassadors - Dedicated on-line presence to promote and recognise local

coaches- Access to forums, workshops and events for your female coaches- Access to local mentoring programmes & other support for your

coaches including coach observation sessions and communities of practice

• NGB involvement- Endorsement; help raise awareness within specific sporting

communities- Use of NGB branding and logos- Link programmes, including NGB Scholarships, marketing and

local county workforce plans to the project- Where possible support with coach education e.g. provide

tutors, discounted resources, flexibility to deliver local courses where there is a clear need

- Access to ambassadors from sports, e.g. to facilitate coaching forums targeted at local female coaches.

• What does the delivery look like?

- County Sports Partnership offer

- Practical examples of working with NGBs

-Presented to ECB National and Regional Team at Lords-For each County in the South East the ECB name a Project manager to lead Project 500 with the County Coaching Lead-County delivery plans are now being developed between the ECB and CSPs -Project 500 will be used to mainly support Chance to Shine Coaches and Coaches on the Talent Pathway -Charlotte Edwards & Claire Connor ambassadors

-Sign off agreed nationally by the RFU-Project 500 supported and managed by Catherine Spencer, former England Captain and World Cup finalist-The RFU have highlighted a potential issue with progressing female coaches -sports coach UK to survey 160 female coaches that undertook the Rugby Ready qualification -Survey also will go out nationally to inform future support needs for female coaches.-Recruiting a number of ambassadors

“It’s a real privilege for England Handball to have been approached to be a part of Project 500 and to have been involved right from its inception.  It is our belief that not enough is being done to engage young women and girls in coaching and leadership pathways in England, and it’s an honour to be working with a special group of people who want to change that.”

Liam McCarthy, Coaching Development ManagerEngland Handball

“This is a fantastic opportunity to both support the development of female coaches in sport and recognise and celebrate their achievements. As a largely female dominated sport we at England Netball understand the importance of developing female coaches as role models for our participants and future athletes and are proud supporters of this project.”

Amy Willis, Coaching Development ManagerEngland Netball

“EMDP are delighted to be part of this innovative project. As the national governing body for exercise, movement and dance we have a predominantly female workforce and have the added value of being a very attractive option for women wishing to both participate and coach. We look forward to working with all partners to increase opportunities for women across the south east.”

Emma Forward, Development DirectorExercise Movement and Dance Partnership

• Challenges & risk factors– ‘call to action’ or project– no new resource– evidencing impact– data collection–managing the project–managing expectations

Q & A

• Contact for further information:

CJ Lee, Sport Hampshire and IOWCoaching Development Managercj.lee@hants.gov.uk 01962 847523

Clare Fallis, sports coach UKCoaching Network ManagerCfallis@sportscoachuk.org07595 779 237