Coach Like a Girl Funding Opens

This Scottish Women & Girls in Sport Week, the new iteration of our Coach Like a Girl Programme has opened for applications from current and aspiring female student coaches.

This year, the model will provide funding opportunities for students to gain access to coaching programmes and qualifications in a way that works for them. In turn, it is hoped that we will be able to help support the development of a female student coaching community.

Through the revised model, students will apply directly to SSS for financial support towards qualifications, courses and training opportunities. Rather than being tied to centralised events, students can identify their own development opportunities relevant to their sport, experience and ambitions.

We hope this will provide added flexibility for more students to benefit from our support, while also helping us better understand the sorts of opportunities students seek in following their coaching pathway.

Further information on the application process and eligibility requirements are available on the Coach Like a Girl webpage.

Why the Change?

Historically, Coach Like a Girl has brought students together for dedicated coaching events, led by SSS staff and external partners. While these events were well-received, their continued offering has presented numerous challenges surrounding accessibility, travel, and competing commitments for both participants and organisers.

The new system allows students to access more than just qualification courses, ensuring that those coaches already active in their sports can gain in their development. We encourage all those considering applying to look at the opportunities available, and not be afraid in being creative with their funding suggestions!

Commenting on the relaunch of Coach Like a Girl, Head of Development Jordan Dawson said:

“Our Coach Like A Girl programme remains committed to addressing barriers to coaching and supporting greater representation across the coaching workforce. There remains a largely untapped potential of female students as coaches in Scotland and we want to address this both for ourselves but the equally the wider sector.

“We recognise our role in developing the next generation of coaches and our remit in addressing these barriers. We hope that these changes can be another small yet significant step to closing a significant gap.”

Get Involved

Applications for Coach Like a Girl funding are now open. Please visit our dedicated webpage for more information.

Access the application form here – but please check the eligibility criteria first.