Game Changers: Elevating women and nonbinary leadership in sports
A bold action to combat the lack of women and non-binary coaches was essential. For years, this thought persisted in the minds of Drs. Hannah O. Olson, Sara Lopez, and Julie McCleery, leaders of the Center for Leadership in Athletics (CLA) at the University of Washington (UW). United by a commitment to gender equality, they launched the Game Changers initiative in Spring 2017 to confront this challenge.
As the UW joins the Big Ten Conference, Game Changers finds itself on an even larger stage, amplifying the university’s dedication to gender equity in sports. With the Big Ten’s vast reach, this initiative is poised to influence sports leadership not just locally, but nationally, contributing to a broader cultural shift towards diverse and equitable leadership.
Initially self-funded by the CLA from 2017 through Spring 2021, the program aimed to build a nurturing community and provide professional development for coaches across Washington state. In Summer 2021, it gained momentum through a partnership with the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) and funding from the Susan Crown Exchange, which brought on coach developers Sam Brown and Jennifer (JP) Peterson. Together, this dedicated team is reshaping the coaching landscape, striving for a more inclusive future.
The coaching gap
As the UW steps into the Big Ten, the stakes — and opportunities — have never been higher, especially regarding the advancement of gender equity. This broader stage comes at a crucial time, as efforts to increase the representation of women in coaching still face significant challenges. According to the 2023-2024 Women in College Coaching Report Card, head coach turnover presents a key opportunity to increase the percentage of women in leadership. However, despite some progress, a persistent gender gap remains.
While Title IX was a pivotal step toward gender equity in education and athletics, it also had unintended consequences, particularly regarding coaching roles. Before 1972, over 90% of women’s teams were led by female coaches. However, this number fell to around 50% by 1982 and further declined to approximately 40% by 2010. Between 2011 and 2021, the percentage of female head coaches stagnated, reaching only 42%. This trend highlights the systemic challenges that persist in achieving true equality in sports leadership, emphasizing the need for ongoing efforts to support and promote women in coaching roles.
Despite the proven benefits women bring to leadership roles — such as driving diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts and demonstrating creative leadership competencies — barriers remain. “Nationally, about 25% of youth coaches are women,” noted Olson, emphasizing a significant gap that affects how young athletes perceive leadership.
“Whoever you see in positions of power and leadership shapes your notions of leadership. When young people see only men —often only white men — in charge, it influences their assumptions about what a leader should look like and how they should act.”
Locally, data from the Aspen Institute Sports & Society Program, the University of Washington, and King County Parks show that women represent about 28% of coaches — consistent with national averages but insufficient given the ongoing shortages in the field. Olson, with over 20 years of coaching experience, points out the impact of this leadership disparity: “Whoever you see in positions of power and leadership shapes your notions of leadership. When young people see only men —often only white men — in charge, it influences their assumptions about what a leader should look like and how they should act.” She further adds, “There’s a reason I coach my sons’ teams — to show them that a woman can be in charge and be very capable.” This imbalance not only distorts leadership perceptions but also limits the development of future diverse leaders. Olson stresses that shifting these dynamics is crucial to providing young people with diverse and effective role models.
Echoing this concern, a report funded by the European Union emphasizes the critical need for support measures, including encouragement from parents and a strong sense of belonging among peers. Female coaches often encounter obstacles like gender discrimination, burnout and societal expectations, all of which hinder their career advancement and contribute to their underrepresentation in leadership roles.
Peterson, director of coaching initiatives & strategy, emphasizes the importance of a strong support network to counteract these various obstacles: “Part of Game Changers was creating that community of support — offering peer mentoring and professional development, but most importantly, building a network where coaches didn’t feel isolated or alone.” She reflects on her own career transition from Franklin High School to the Center for Leadership in Athletics, driven by her passion for supporting women in sports: “Leaving Franklin was a significant decision, but I wanted to be part of something that aligned with my focus on making a greater impact in the youth sports space through community engagement, coach development, research, and education.”
The impact of Game Changers
The success of Game Changers is both impressive and fitting, given its rapid evolution and the critical role it has played in fostering community support among coaches. What started as a modest event in 2017 quickly grew to meet an urgent need for connection and solidarity. “The first large-scale event in 2018 attracted over 100 experienced coaches seeking community,” Olson recounted. This enthusiastic turnout revealed a glaring gap in existing support systems and underscored the initiative’s potential for profound impact.
The real transformation came through the formal Game Changers cohorts, where the program’s emphasis on building a supportive network proved pivotal. Olson highlighted the feedback from these cohorts: “Coaches kind of reached out and just said, ‘Hey, we probably would have left coaching had it not been for this group.’” By focusing on creating a space where coaches could share their challenges and feel a sense of belonging, Game Changers has not only enhanced professional development but also played a crucial role in helping many coaches decide to stay in the profession.
Since its launch, the initiative has seen consistent growth, with initial applications increasing from around 150 to nearly 300 in subsequent years. This surge in interest underscores the program's broad appeal across the state. From these large pools, approximately 40 participants were selected per cohort. Retention rates further highlight the initiative's success. Peterson noted that in addition to growth in interest year to year, most coaches also completed the full year, reflecting significant progress. This supportive network has been pivotal in helping coaches navigate their roles and stay in the profession, even in the face of initial challenges.
Cohort 2 member Kayla Monroe, a math teacher and head golf coach at Rochester High School, exemplifies the initiative’s influence. Monroe’s decision to join Game Changers stemmed from her experiences in predominantly male coaching environments and the barriers she faced. “I’ve always been surrounded by a majority of male coaches, both being as a player and as a coach myself... I unfortunately didn’t have great experiences with my coaches, and I didn’t want anyone else to go through that,” Monroe explained.
The support and connection she found in the program proved invaluable. Monroe discovered more than just practical advice through the network; she found solidarity with other women and nonbinary coaches who provided invaluable emotional support long after the program. “Realizing I wasn’t alone in my experiences was transformative,” she reflected. “It made me even more determined to create a different, better experience for my players.”
Monroe's experiences and insights have not only shaped her journey but also influenced the Game Changers' initiative. As Peterson noted, “Cohort members shape the cohort community and Game Changers experience each year. They each bring their own sport and coaching journeys that shape their perspectives, but also add to their unique experiences, expertise, and strategies for navigating the youth sports and coaching landscape.”
By sharing their diverse perspectives and challenges, members like Monroe have played a crucial role in the program's development. Their contributions have guided professional development sessions, informed the initiative's structure, and enriched the shared learning community. This active engagement exemplifies how Game Changers evolves in response to its members, creating a dynamic program that continually adapts to the needs of its participants.
Building a sustainable path to inclusive sports
The Center for Leadership in Athletics' commitment to transforming sports leadership is evident in its comprehensive approach to addressing gender inequity. While the Game Changers initiative has made significant strides in fostering community and professional development, it builds upon the CLA’s long-standing research and teaching on gender inequity in coaching and education. The initiative complements the CLA’s broader efforts by providing valuable insights and support for female and non-binary coaches, while continuing to address systemic issues in sports coaching that have been a focus of the Center's research and academic programs.
Dr. Julie McCleery, CLA’s director of research-practice partnerships, has further illuminated the need for such data through her groundbreaking research, “Centering the Female Athlete Voice in a Sports Science Research Agenda”. McCleery’s research reveals a stark gap: despite increased female participation in sports, research addressing the specific needs of female and non-binary athletes remains critically underdeveloped. Her findings highlight a lack of focus on key issues such as menstrual cycle symptoms, recovery, and mental health, pointing to a significant oversight in sports science. This gap emphasizes the urgent need for inclusive research agendas that better support female athletes’ performance and well-being.
Recognizing the significance of these research voids, Olson understands that the Game Changers initiative is not just beneficial but essential. By addressing these gaps and supporting diverse coaches and athletes, the program is driving a much-needed shift in how sports science and coaching practices approach these needs.
"When you start hiring more women and diverse groups of coaches,” she notes, “they bring different perspectives and voices to the table. This change influences program evolution and decision-making, attracting a broader range of students and athletes who feel safer and more included.”
Peterson emphasizes the transformative effect of increased diversity within coaching staff: “When you start hiring more women and diverse groups of coaches,” she notes, “they bring different perspectives and voices to the table. This change influences program evolution and decision-making, attracting a broader range of students and athletes who feel safer and more included.”
This evolving perspective is evident in discussions from Game Changers professional development sessions. Initially, conversations about working with male colleagues focus on overcoming gender bias. However, a cohort member suggests moving from an 'us vs. them' mentality to an 'us and them' approach, highlighting the importance of collaboration and supportive interactions.
Peterson adds, “This shift from confronting biases to actively engaging supportive leaders and building diverse networks helps the group concentrate on practical strategies for collaboration and decision-making.” This perspective is instrumental in guiding the initiative’s direction, underscoring the importance of equity and cooperation in coaching environments.
Brown, associate director of coaching initiatives & strategy, further highlights the broad impact of diversity in sports leadership. She describes its ripple effect, which influences everyone in the sports ecosystem — from athletes to policymakers. “This is the ultimate ripple effect,” Brown asserts. “It extends from athlete to coach, from building administrator to those creating policies and laws around sport.” She emphasizes the responsibility of higher education and governing bodies to act on these issues, stressing, “It would be negligent if we, with access to data showing significant problems, did not address them.”
Despite funding uncertainties, the CLA remains committed to the Game Changers initiative and its mission to close the gender gap in coaching. Exciting plans include a summit for women and non-binary coaches, which will take place as part of the upcoming "Our Space in Sport" event. This conference will also feature a student advisory board and a parallel coaches conference to enhance the experience for high school girls and non-binary athletes. Olson states, “We are working on making this program more sustainable and impactful on a broader scale.” Additionally, this fall, there will be a virtual workshop led by Dr. Marsa Daniel, teaching associate for the Intercollegiate Athletic Leadership and Leadership in Higher Education M.Ed. programs, focusing on supporting female athletes.
By building networks, providing mentorship, and addressing systemic barriers, Game Changers is reshaping the landscape of sports coaching and championing a more inclusive future. The program’s commitment to immediate support and long-term sustainability aims to create lasting systemic change, ensuring diverse coaches and athletes can thrive.
