UK Coaching Commits to Global Movementfor Gender Equity by Signing Brighton PlusHelsinki Declaration

UK Coaching has signed the International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport's Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration, stepping up to join a global network of over 700 organisations dedicated to advancing gender equity in movement, physical activity, and sport.

Operating as the representative body for coaching in the UK, the commitment reinforces UK Coaching’s role as a system leader dedicated to challenging the structural and cultural barriers that prevent women from entering, remaining, and thriving in the profession.

The signing of the declaration and the launch of their new Women in Coaching Plan comes in response to growing evidence of the challenges facing women in coaching.

UK Coaching’s Coaching in the UK 2024 survey of over 30,000 coaches found a 6% decline in the overall number of female coaches, with a steeper 10% decline in the number of female volunteer coaches. While there has been positive progress in some areas, including at the international level, the overall figures highlight the challenge of ensuring women are able to remain and progress within coaching.

As a direct response to these concerns, the organisation launched its new Women in Coaching

Plan, focused on three key areas:

• Building a culture that attracts more women into coaching by amplifying their voices and visibility, ensuring they feel valued and see the profession as a positive opportunity.

• Creating the conditions to retain women for longer through collaboration with sector leaders and organisations to build safer, fairer systems.

• Providing equitable opportunities to enter, develop, and progress by making it easier for female coaches to connect and access vital learning and development.

Heather Douglas, Head of Coaching & Policy at UK Coaching, underscored the importance of the milestone commitment:

“At UK Coaching, we believe a thriving coaching profession requires equitable opportunities for women and girls at every level of sport and physical activity. As the representative body for coaching in the UK, we are committed to influencing the systems, cultures and practices that shape coaching, and to working alongside the global IWG network to accelerate progress towards gender equity in sport.”

Lisa O'Keefe, Secretary General of the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport, welcomed the commitment:

“From my own coaching experience, I know firsthand what it feels like to be the only woman in the room and the incredible power of a supportive coaching environment. UK Coaching’s systemic approach – from practical support via the Women Who Coach Hub to their vital research on engaging mothers – perfectly aligns with the principles of the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration. We are delighted to welcome them to the global network and support their vital

work in breaking down barriers for the next generation of female coaches.”

Viveen Taylor, from IWG’s UK Steering Committee, said:

“We are delighted to welcome UK Coaching as a signatory. Its Women in Coaching Plan is an important step towards creating more equitable pathways and ensuring women are supported not only to enter coaching, but to build fulfilling and sustainable coaching careers.”