Creating the conditions for change

We are particularly encouraged that the report highlights the conditions for change, including employment conditions, organisational culture, coach development systems, and safe environments. Crucially, it reinforces that women are not the problem — it is the conditions that must evolve for all coaches. UK Coaching is committed to the work underway to help shape that change across the wider coaching system.

Our commitment across the coaching system

We are continuing to strengthen our Gender Impact Strategy, increasing investment in this area of work, and collaborating with sports to support workforce planning, reform coach development systems and pathways, and create more equitable opportunities for women in coaching and leadership.

Leading by example

Alongside this, UK Coaching continues to apply the principles set out in the report within our own organisation — including gender-balanced governance, strong female representation at senior levels, and ongoing monitoring of gender pay and development opportunities. This internal practice informs our learning, but we recognise it is only one part of the wider system change required.

Women in coaching

As part of our commitment, and in partnership with UK Sport and the UK Sports Institute, UK Coaching will host the second annual Assembly for Women in Coaching on 12 March, bringing together coaches and leaders from Olympic, Paralympic and professional sport to accelerate collective action.

We remain committed to working alongside key partners, including Women in Sport and UK Sport, to help deliver the cultural and systemic change required so that coaching in the UK becomes genuinely equitable and no longer fails women.

Read the full report: Reimagining Sports Coaching: Designing a System That Works for Women