The Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health hosted its inaugural case competition last fall, bringing industry experts together to let student-athletes pave the way for a new generation of professional coaches.
Systemic barriers for women in coaching positions still exist, and according to a 2023 report by Women’s Sports Foundation, “women in head coaching positions at the collegiate level had fallen from 90% to 41% since the implementation of Title IX [in the United States].”
This competition was born out of a clear and necessary mission: to give students and student-athletes a dedicated space to tackle ongoing gender disparity in professional and collegiate coaching. This wasn’t just an academic exercise; it was a chance for the next generation of leaders to make a direct, tangible impact on the industry they love.
The competition
Dr. Annika Voltan of Saint Mary’s University, Dr. Ann Pegoraro from the University of Guelph and Maura Martina of Canadian Women & Sport briefed students on the case and provided the foundational insights needed to navigate the complex realities of gender inequality in professional coaching.
This thorough brief ensured that when the competition day arrived, the solutions presented were grounded in real-world knowledge and experience.
Taking the top spot with their pitch was "The Five R's," composed of Sophie Scully, Jill Duggan, Ashley Penney, Kara MacLean, Keyara Nelson and Leslie McLean.
“We propose that the AUS help address systemic barriers affecting the underrepresentation of women in coaching and leadership roles by creating an AUS-wide assistant coach apprenticeship that prioritizes the recruitment of varsity women and alumnae seeking to further their education.
In this program, we envision collaborative work between the faculty of graduate studies at AUS schools and their athletic departments to provide cohorts of 10-12 graduating student athletes the opportunity to be mentored as assistant coaches while completing a master’s degree at their respective schools. Our mission aligns directly with the AUS mission: creating extraordinary, personal, and memorable student-athlete experiences – the kind that build belonging.”
“We envision a future where young women watching the bench can look at the staff and finally see themselves there too, not by exception but by expectation.”
Team The Five R’s took first place in the pitch competition
They were followed by "HERizon" in second place, featuring Charlie DaFonseca, Reid Valade, William Thompson, Mathew MacDougall and Josh Wainman, who created a solution that brought support pieces such as childcare stipends, scholarships and paid work experience into the fold.
“Our two-year program combines rotational coaching experience, mentorship, NCCP training and access to a regional Women in Coaching Network.”
Third place went to the team "LeadHER Atlantic", represented by Taylor Lougheed, Marisa McClocklin, Mackenzie Beggs, Jacquline Moore and Lianne Rogers.
“Our team proposed a coaching certification and leadership advancement pathway designed to elevate women in sport. Within five years, the program aims for all women student-athletes to graduate with entry-level coaching certification in their respective sports, while each female varsity team is paired with a community woman mentor.”
Team HERizon took second place
Team LeadHER Atlantic took third place
One of the Centre’s benefactors, Leslie McLean, was on-site to award the prizes. Key members from SMU’s Athletics & Recreation department, the Faculty of Arts, the Sobey School of Business, and local and provincial sport organizations participated on the adjudication panel.
Looking ahead
By inviting student-athletes into the conversation, the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health bridged the gap between those who play the game and those who will eventually manage it–demonstrating the importance of having a diverse range of voices at the table where industry-changing decisions are made.
To get involved with sports-business initiatives that have a real impact on the world, connect with the Scott McCain & Leslie McLean Centre for Sport, Business and Health and check out our Sports Business program.