Coaching for Success and Significance!

Registration Has Closed

• June 4 - 8,  Atlanta
  
• June 14 - 18,  Denver
  
• December 8 - 12,  Denver
  

I need the WCA Now! Are there options?

Yes. Due to the overwhelming demand to attend, you may choose to ‘Pay your way to the WCA’. This is new for 2012.

How it works -

• You may opt to ‘Pay your way to the WCA’. The tuition, room and board cost is $2,500, plus you are responsible for your travel expenses to and from the site of your choice.  Acceptance is guaranteed.

• email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it to register or for more info.
  

Each year there are 126 scholarships available to attend the WCA – which means, tuition, room and board are provided for those 126 female coaches employed at NCAA Universities.

• Coaches are responsible for their travel expenses to and from the site

• To stay active on the waiting list you must apply annually. Applications are tracked each year received.

• Some considerations will be made to balance the programs for division, sport, head and assistant coaches, ethnic minority participation and repeat applicants

We are doing our best to expand the opportunity to experience this amazing career development opportunity for as many coaches as possible.

How do I get in?

• Apply. Yes, we do have a waiting list. You need to apply to get on the list. You need to apply every year to keep your wait list status active.
• Be flexible! Choose the ‘no preference’ option for date and site. Yes, you might get in on your 1st application try. However, probably unlikely.
• Beyond that – there are no considerations to your success or lack of. No points for where you are, how long you have been there, or who you know.
• Bottom-line -- Apply. It could just change everything...

The NCAA Women Coaches Academy provides skills training for coaches at all levels to assist them in being more efficient, productive, resourceful and successful. The academy is designed for women coaches who are ready and willing to increase their individual effectiveness by learning advanced skills and strategies that directly affect their personal and team success. The participants learn skills that are not sport specific, yet ones that are relevant and necessary for coaching responsibilities, beyond the X’s and O’s.

History
In 2002, the NCAA Committee on Women’s Athletics (CWA) supported an initiative to train, support and retain women coaches. That was the start of the Women Coaches Academy (WCA). To date there have been 24 highly successful sessions of the five-day academies, which are open to any coach from any sport, and any division.

Overview
The WCA is designed to give coaches the opportunity to understand their expanding role as a coach, along with perspectives and skills to help them make the most of their situation. In the company and understanding of other coaches, they will have the opportunity to talk and listen with others to gain support and learn new tools and strategies.

1) Skills Development - Provide women coaches with professional development in areas other than the X’s and O’s of their sport. These include, management strategies, decision-making, ethics, leadership, legal issues and communication skills.

2) Retention - To inspire and motivate women coaches to remain in the coaching profession. By expanding their knowledge, perspective and skill base, they gain confidence and determination to set career goals and be more successful and competent.

3) Mentoring - Provide a framework for interaction between women in all aspects of athletics -- from peers to pioneers.

There is no doubt that the Women Coaches Academy has made an impact on the coaches who have attended, and in turn, they will impact the lives of their student athletes and campus community. It’s simple – as a coach grows and develops better skills and perspectives -- student athletes and schools benefit.

1. Philosophy and Fundamentals
Title IX and Gender Equity
History and Culture of Women’s Sports
Philosophies of Coaching
Fundamentals of Coaching
Learning Styles and Teaching Methods

2. Management Skills
Ethics and Decision-Making
Principles of Marketing
Management Methods
Legal Issues of Coaching

4. Career Development
Interviewing
Networking

 The Judy Sweet Award

Award via nomination by fellow classmates at each Academy. 

Description of Award:

Through her caring and commitment, Judy's leadership has mentored the WCA into the Success Story that it is today. She has taught us through example the power of sharing our personal and professional stories and how they bridge us to the past, present and future.

This award recognizes a the member of each academy team who's spirit and willingness to share and live her story with integrity and perspective for her own and others personal and professional success has made an impact on others.

The winners from the 2011 December Denver class were Peel Hawthorne, Head Field Hockey Coach at William and Mary and Deanna Gumpf, Head Softball Coach at the University of Notre Dame!

A BIG Hooray for Coach Hawthorne and Coach Gumpf!