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Coaching Journal for Women in Coaching - January Issue:   Although focused on the sport of swimming, Coaching Girls provides solid and practical applications for all sports in which girls participate and compete. In writing about a case study that formed part of the final project for a master’s of science degree in Sports Coaching, Scottish swim coach Kerry Wood and her course leader Alan Lynn have made an important contribution to the long-standing debate focused on the enigma of high rates of female athlete dropout in the teen-age years. It is a situation that has frustrated and stymied both development and high performance coaches, particularly since so few could find substantiated remedies. By sympathetically and systematically assessing the troubling situation and then developing and implementing criteria aimed specifically at its reversal, she has produced a template that could provide a basis for widespread, meaningful change. While it must be said that it is too early to state conclusively that the areas the authors identify will have an impact on changing statistics at the senior team level, the early results are cause for hope and, we suggest, provide a foundation on which she and other coaches of female athletes can and should build. —Sheila Robertson

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Coach Alberta Board member Brenda Van Tighem has just embarked on one of the most significant journeys of her coaching career. Her destination -- Daegu, South Korea, the site of the 2011 World Athletics Championships from August 27th to September 4th. Read the entire article here.

Many parents are looking for answers to explain what is right for their child when it comes to athletic development. As a coach, you need something that will help explain the facts in an easy, accurate, and user-friendly manner. The Coaching Association of Canada, in coordination with LTAD expert Colin Higgs, has created the following document: “Long-Term Athlete Development Information for Parents” to help coaches educate the parents of the children in their programs.

This publication is designed as a reference for coaches of female athletes. The publication provides information about the needs, interests and experiences of female athletes to support coaches in fostering their physical, mental, emotional and social potential. Regardless of the gender of the coach, he or she must recognize the specific needs of their athletes and understand the unique characteristics of female athletes. Click here to download the document.