From Sidelines to Center Court - Empowering Women Coaches and Girls in Youth Sports

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Bintang

From Sidelines to Center Court examines how girls experience youth sports and who is—or is not—showing up to lead them in underserved communities across Southeast Michigan and Western New York. Centered on women’s coaching, it highlights persistent participation and leadership barriers, including the long-stagnant share of women coaches. The report presents motivations, challenges, and opportunities shaping women’s coaching pathways and offers a practical blueprint for building inclusive, sustainable coaching ecosystems beyond the two regions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages114

Reading Time4 h 47 min

AccessFree to download

Letter from the CEO

Acknowledgments

About the Women’s Sports Foundation

About the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation

From Sidelines to Center Court: Empowering Women Coaches and Girls in Youth Sports A Regional Study in Southeast Michigan and Western New York A Women’s Sports Foundation Research Report, December 2025 Letter from the CEO For more than five decades, the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) has worked to break down barriers so that every girl — no matter her zip code — has the opportunity to play, lead, and thrive through sport. Yet our research continues to reveal a troubling truth; girls in underserved communities still face persistent barriers to participation. We know this challenge exists — but how does it play out at the community level? And what can we do to change it? That is the driving force behind this report, From Sidelines to Center Court: Empowering Women Coaches and Girls in Youth Sports. Grounded in Southeast Michigan and Western New York, this hyperlocal research sheds light on how girls experience sport in their neighborhoods — and critically, who is (and is not) showing up to lead them. We know girls benefit immensely from having women coaches. They see what is possible. They feel seen, supported, and empowered. But today, women still make up only about 28 percent of coaches on girls’teams — a number that has not budged in decades. If we want to keep girls in the game, we need to strengthen the coaching pipeline for women and dismantle the systemic barriers holding them back. This report does more than diagnose a problem. It offers a blueprint for change. It explores the motivations, challenges, and opportunities that shape women’s pathways into coaching, uncovering stories and strategies that local leaders can act on. While the data is drawn from two regions, the findings are nationally relevant — providing a roadmap for communities everywhere to build more inclusive, sustainable coaching ecosystems. This project would not have been possible without the steadfast support of our generous funding partner, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. It also would not have been possible without the on-the-ground leadership of Dr. Renee Cadzow, Dr. Michele Lewis Watts, Dr. Ramona Cox, and Katie Joyce; the inclusion of the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan; and the consulting support of Strength in Numbers. Together, this team brought deep local insight and academic rigor to a shared goal — ensuring more women have the support and resources to coach, lead, and inspire the next generation. At WSF, we believe that every community holds the power to create lasting change — and that coaching isone of the most powerful tools we have to help girls unlock their full potential. We hope this report serves not only as a catalyst for action, but as a reminder: when women lead, girls rise. Danette Leighton CEO, Women’s Sports Foundation Women’s Sports Foundation [WomensSportsFoundation.org](WomensSportsFoundation.org) From Sidelines to Center Court: Empowering 2 Women Coaches and Girls in Youth Sports Acknowledgments The Women’s Sports Foundation would like to thank the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation for their generous support for this research initiative. We would also like to thank the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo for their partnership in this research. Special thanks to Dr. Renee Cadzow, who led the three-year project, and Strength in Numbers Consulting Group for their work on this research/report including: Somjen Frazer, Ravali Mukthineni, Mary Paul, Emma Sexton, Laura Laderman, and Dawun Smith. Thanks also to regional consultants Michele Lewis Watts, Ramona Cox, and Katie Joyce. Finally, many thanks to YouGov, who conducted the survey and helped analyze the results, the findings of which are integrated into this report. YouGov is a leading international full-service research and consulting company and a pioneer in the use of technology to collect higher-quality, in-depth dat

FAQs

What problem does the report focus on?

It addresses persistent barriers that limit girls’ participation and the lack of women leaders in youth sports in underserved communities.

Where does the research study take place?

The report is grounded in Southeast Michigan and Western New York, using a hyperlocal approach to understand community-level experiences.

How does the report aim to support change?

It provides a blueprint by examining motivations, challenges, and opportunities for women entering coaching and by outlining strategies local leaders can act on.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Bintang