The Alberta Women in Sport Leadership Impact Program: Final Evaluation Report

Abstract

Upon receiving funding from a sector of the federal government, Women and Gender Equality (WAGE) Canada, to implement an initiative to support women and gender equity in sport, the Coaching Association of Canada (CAC) partnered with the Province of Alberta as a designated region to carry out this two-and-a-half-year project. Alberta was selected as the province for this initiative because they had the capacity to support the program; and it was thought the program would benefit their organizations and enhance the work they were already doing. The AWiSL had three main outcomes: to increase gender equity, leadership diversity, and knowledge transfer across the province. This would be achieved through a social learning initiative (to be discussed below) in collaboration with sport organizations across Alberta. Sport organizations were invited to apply online through the Province’s Multi Sport Organization (Alberta Sport Connection; ASC) by submitting a project plan to increase gender equity and leadership diversity in their own sport organizations. Twelve sport leaders and their organizations were accepted to be a part of this initiative. The sport leaders all held an administrative position at a sport organization, with positions ranging from coaching development coordinator, to executive director. The types of organizations varied from regional sport organizations, to multisport organizations, to sport clubs. The successful applications/organizations and their projects are as listed in Table 1. In addition, to the sport leaders, this initiative included six mentors who were recruited to assist with the facilitation of the program and to support the sport leaders in achieving their project goals. These mentors were chosen for their backgrounds and leadership experiences across sport. One of the mentors, Isabelle Cayer from the CAC, was the project lead for the initiative. The six mentors are as listed in Table 2. This group of 12 sport leaders and six mentors met approximately once a month (in-person or online) to participate in activities to support them in achieving their project goals and building their own leadership capacities. For a more in-depth description of the AWiSL activities, see Appendices A and B. It is also important to note that initially 15 sport leaders were accepted to be a part of the AWiSL but three had to end their participation early for various reasons including changes in work locations or positions. The results of the final evaluation demonstrated increases in all three of the program outcomes and showed several different types of value created through this social learning initiative. Gender equity increases included: the number of girls participating in sport programs, the number of women registered to all-female sports teams, and the number of women-only professional development opportunities. Leadership diversity/development changes included: improved confidence, improved leadership skills, increased awareness of leadership capacity and influence, and increased leadership opportunities. In terms of knowledge transfer, developments have included: publications in academic and practical journals, presentations at conferences and other professional meetings, the development of a how-to model for social learning initiatives, and increases in collaborations and relationships between sport organizations across the province. Finally, there were eight types of value created, which will be discussed throughout this evaluation. In addition to these increases/changes, the researchers also provide examples of challenges and barriers experienced by the sport leaders and mentors. The following section introduces the social learning concept that underpins the AWiSL initiative.