As the Olympic Movement continues its push for gender equality in sports, the under-representation of women among elite coaches remains a significant challenge. The Women in Sport High-Performance Pathway (WISH) programme is a key initiative in the International Olympic Committee (IOC)’s efforts to address this issue.
While significant progress has been made in achieving gender parity among athletes – 50% of participants in the Paris 2024 Olympics were women – this success has not yet been reflected in the coaching ranks. Over the past decade, the proportion of female coaches has seen only modest growth. To accelerate this progress, WISH, backed by Olympic Solidarity funding, offers a tailored two-year programme designed to prepare women for coaching at the elite level. WISH is coordinated by the University of Hertfordshire, delivered by Females Achieving Brilliance (FAB), and supported by Olympic Solidarity and participants’ International Federations.
World Rowing recognises the value of equality and inclusion and has committed to the WISH initiative through the identification, secondment and support of 8 female coaches to the programme. Coaches that have benefited from the initiative between 2022-2024, in Cohorts 2 and 3, have and continue to be recognised for their results and potential for further progression. Of the rowing coaches that have undertaken the WISH programme to date, six had the opportunity to meet with WR President, Vice-President and Executive Members on the sidelines of the World Rowing Senior, U23 and U19 Championships in St Catharine’s, Canada. World Rowing is proud of the coaches’ achievements and took this opportunity to congratulate all of them for their successful journey which has contributed to their leading programmes and crews at the World Championships:
- Anna Gotz (AUT) – U19 and U23 head coach and team manager for the Austrian team, supporting 10 crews in St Catherines
- Chrissa Biskitsi (GRE) – supporting the Greek W2- and other Development Programme Coaches and Athletes from Latvia and Singapore
- Pamela Weisshaupt (SUI) – supporting Swiss national crews: BLW1x, BW2x, BW4-, BLW2x
- Katie-Bahain Steenman (CAN) – working with the Canadian U23 Women’s 8+ and 4-
- Caitlin Dace (RSA) – working with the South African JW1x
- Brett Gorman (USA) – US Rowing Director of High-Performance Pathways
World Rowing remains committed to supporting initiatives like WISH, recognising the importance of fostering diversity and empowering women in coaching roles. By continuing to back such programmes, World Rowing ensures that opportunities for female coaches are expanded, helping to drive the sport towards greater inclusivity and excellence at all levels.