SUPPORTING FEMALE COACHES & REFEREES
Our journey and commitment to advancing female leadership in volleyball started over 5 years ago. In 2021, we undertook the Same Game Challenge with Canadian Women & Sport which helped us identify actions to support the development, profile, and leadership of female coaches and referees. From this, we created a DEI Strategy, Female Mentorship Program, and Female Leadership Bursaries.
Looking ahead, gender equity remains central to our long-term vision. Our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan prioritizes improving female experience and participation, supported by a Framework for Safety and Inclusion that includes gender equity initiatives. In 2025 we embarked on the Gender Equity Playbook with Canadian Women & Sport and undertook comprehensive research in partnership with UBC’s Sauder Graduate Program to better understand the experience of female coaches and referees.
We have made good progress but we are not done! We’re now looking ahead and would love you to be involved!
Our JOURNEY
we want you to get involved!
We heard clearly from female referees and coaches about the activities they thought we should undertake to better support them:
1. Host a Province-Wide Retreat
Bring together female coaches & referees in a physical or virtual opportunity for learning, connection, and support.
TARGET DATE: 2027
2. IMPROVE conduct
Improve communication, policies, and understanding of behavioural standards among athletes, parents, coaches & referees to support retention of female leaders.
TARGET DATE: 2027 SEASON
3. female mentorship program
Develop a plan to review, refresh, and/or expand the current female mentorship program to reach new coaches and referees.
TARGET DATE: 2027
4. IMPLEMENT AN EXIT STRATEGY
Develop and implement exit surveys among non-returning coaches and referees to collect data and identify themes or issues to address.
TARGET DATE: 2026
5. TELL OUR STORY
Celebrate the achievements of female referees and coaches and raise the profile of the work we have already undertaken, increasing understanding of gender equity and continued efforts.
TARGET DATE: 2026
We are now looking for people to help us bring these activities to life! We are setting up a working group for each of the 5 action areas to help guide and support our work.
If you can lend us an hour or so of time, please register your interest. All genders and experience welcome!
THIS IS WHAT WE HEARD...
In 2025, we partnered with UBC Sauder Graduate students to research the experience of female coaches and referees in volleyball. Here is what we heard:
- Unclear pathways and communication gaps make it difficult to understand how to enter, progress, and advance in coaching and officiating
- Limited access to mentorship and uneven support across regions reduces confidence and development opportunities
- Persistent gender bias and male-dominated culture impact credibility, belonging, and advancement
- Verbal abuse and poor behaviour from parents, coaches, and spectators are common and often unsupported, contributing to burnout
- Family responsibilities, time constraints, and lack of childcare support significantly affect retention and progression into leadership roles
- Regional inequities limit access to training, mentorship, and development opportunities outside major centres
- Recognition, fair compensation, and consistent organizational support are key drivers of whether women stay engaged
THIS IS WHAT WE ARE DOING...
In early 2026, we formed a working group with female coaches and referees to review the recommendations in the UBC Sauder report. With the help of this group, we have identified 5 priority actions to support female coaches and referees over the next couple of years.
We have now issued a Call to Action for volunteers to help us mobilize and organize the 5 action areas!
We cannot move forward without the support and input of individuals within the volleyball community.
Sign up here for more information on the 5 action areas and to get involved.
WHY IS THIS WORK IMPORTANT?
Volleyball in British Columbia continues to grow at an unprecedented rate. Over the past five seasons, youth club participation has increased by nearly 62%, with girls’ teams consistently representing the majority and now accounting for approximately 74% of all teams.
While this growth is exciting, it has not been reflected in leadership roles across the sport. Female representation among head coaches and certified referees has not kept pace with participation trends. Women remain underrepresented in head coaching positions and at higher levels of officiating, with many continuing to face barriers to advancement. This gap highlights an important opportunity for our sport.
Coaches and officials play a critical role in shaping athlete experiences, fostering positive environments, and modeling leadership. Ensuring that these roles reflect the large number of girls in our system, is essential to building an inclusive and sustainable sport community. By creating intentional pathways, reducing barriers, and investing in leadership development, we can better align our system with the athletes we serve and support long-term growth across all levels of the game.
Got questions?
Contact: mcoyle@volleyballbc.org
working group
A huge thank you to the women from the coaching and refereeing community who have been part of the group guiding this work:
Jordan Connors, Sara Corneil, Christine McLane, Taya Nordee, Tova Rae, Lisa Ramsay, Kristina Stefanek