When Women Coach, Sport Wins.


The world's only e-learning platform created by female coaches, for the entire coaching system.

Proudly supported by

Australian Institute of Sport logo
Australian Institute of Sport logo
Loughborough University Women in Sport Hub logo
Loughborough University Women in Sport Hub logo
The Athlete Place logo
The Athlete Place logo

Proudly supported by

Australian Institute of Sport logo
Loughborough University Women in Sport Hub logo
The Athlete Place logo

A group of female coaches together at an FCN event

We're Building A Better Future For Female Coaches

Female coaches remain underrepresented in elite sport.

To change that, the Female Coaching Network champions them at every stage of their career and works with organisations and federations to expand their opportunities.

Now, we're expanding that support with the FCN Academy. Created by female coaches and led by its community, the FCN Academy brings the whole coaching system under one roof through e-learning, networking and mentoring.

Bringing together research, lived experience, and shared best practice, we're building a platform shaped by coaches' experiences and priorities and grounded in the realities of coaching.


Empowering coaches, changing systems. Together.

When Women Coach, Sport Wins

The FCN Academy explores what it truly means to be a coach.

The education and insight provided through the FCN Academy extend beyond technical and tactical knowledge.

Through courses and webinars built on lived experience and global insight, we explore what traditional coach education often overlooks: the realities of navigating the coaching system, coaching career pathways, and leadership development.

Our Online Courses

Start with our flagship course, built from the lived experiences of coaches working at every level of sport.

Navigating the Coaching System online course from the FCN Academy
Flagship online course · Available now

Navigating the Coaching System

Understand the system around you. Strengthen your relationships. Take greater ownership of your coaching journey.

Some of the most demanding parts of coaching happen beyond the training session. This course brings together the lived experiences of coaches, research and practical tools to help you navigate them, guided by the FCN Coaching Compass: Coaching Up, Right, Down, Left and In.

  • Interviews with coaches and experts including John Mitchell, Lori Locust, Shannon Winzer, Jane Figueiredo and Professor Leanne Norman

  • Practical tools including the Meeting Preparation Template, Decision Sheet and Coach Preparation Portfolio

  • For coaches from development through to elite level, and for male coaches and allies

  • Interviews with coaches and experts including John Mitchell, Lori Locust, Shannon Winzer, Jane Figueiredo and Professor Leanne Norman

  • Practical tools including the Meeting Preparation Template, Decision Sheet and Coach Preparation Portfolio

  • For coaches from development through to elite level, and for male coaches and allies

Join the FCN Academy:

Connect, share, develop

Whether you want to network, share insights and best practices, or develop your coaching skills, the FCN Academy is your space to do that.

Connect with coaches worldwide, learn from those who've been there, and explore the parts of coaching nobody teaches you.

Life Time Member Accreditation
Exclusive: FCN Academy Lifetime Membership
Everything you need to connect, share and develop as a Coach

Join a global community of coaches and get lifetime access to the FCN Academy’s learning and development opportunities. Connect with coaches across sports and countries, learn from experienced coaches…

$25
for 1 month
Green accreditation
Free Networking Membership
Join our global network of elite & developing coaches, for free!

Join a global community of female coaches and connect with people who understand your coaching journey. Create your FCN profile, access downloadable resources and enjoy one free online course lesson each month—all at no cost.

Life Time Member Accreditation
Exclusive: FCN Academy Lifetime Membership
Everything you need to connect, share and develop as a Coach

Join a global community of coaches and get lifetime access to the FCN Academy’s learning and development opportunities. Connect with coaches across sports and countries, learn from experienced coaches…

$25
for 1 month
Green accreditation
Free Networking Membership
Join our global network of elite & developing coaches, for free!

Join a global community of female coaches and connect with people who understand your coaching journey. Create your FCN profile, access downloadable resources and enjoy one free online course lesson each month—all at no cost.

The FCN Academy online network

Join a Global Network of Coaches 

The FCN Network has been growing for over 12 years — connecting coaches, coach developers, leaders and organisations from across the world.

Now, for the first time, we are bringing that network together in one dedicated online space.

  • Search and browse Member Directory

  • Connect with members via private DMs

  • Join groups based on shared interests, topics or experiences

  • Post questions, updates and ideas on the Network Feed


Who we've worked with

IWG Women and Sport
Nike
WHOOP
Gazing Red2Blue
Leeds Beckett University
World Athletics
BOIC Belgian Olympic Interfederal Committee
Australian Athletics
ICCE
Irish Olympic Council
UK Athletics
European Athletics
Athletics Canada
AIS Australian Institute of Sport
Women in Sport
England Boxing
Tottenham Hotspur
CIMSPA
SPAR International
ALTIS
USA Soccer
Sport and Beyond
Brainzyme
IWG Women and Sport
Nike
WHOOP
Gazing Red2Blue
Leeds Beckett University
World Athletics
BOIC Belgian Olympic Interfederal Committee
Australian Athletics
ICCE
Irish Olympic Council
UK Athletics
European Athletics
Athletics Canada
AIS Australian Institute of Sport
Women in Sport
England Boxing
Tottenham Hotspur
CIMSPA
SPAR International
ALTIS
USA Soccer
Sport and Beyond
Brainzyme

What our members say

Hear from the people who are already part of the FCN community.

"FCN Academy has completely changed how I think about my own performance as a coach. The content is practical, evidence-based, and unlike anything else available in coach education right now."

Sarah Johnson

Head Coach, British Swimming

"We've been looking for something like this for years. FCN Academy gives our female coaches a dedicated space to develop, connect, and grow — and it's already having a measurable impact on retention."

Anna Camberside

Director of Coaching, UK Coaching

"I've done a lot of CPD over the years but nothing has felt as relevant or as well-designed as this. The advisory board brings a level of expertise that you just don't find anywhere else."

Zoe Pointon

Safeguarding Lead, Archery Ireland

Katie Krieble, USA Wrestling

Katie Krieble - USA Wrestling

"Thank you for bringing us all together, it always feels good to get to relate to other female coaches. Thank you for the development and resources."

Mechelle Freeman, former USATF Head Relay Coach

Mechelle Freeman - Former USATF Head Relay Coach 

"That’s what this group’s best benefit has been for me too – connecting with someone who is just like you."

Carla Nicholls, Paralympic Head Coach, Athletics Canada

Carla Nicholls - Paralympic Head Coach, Athletics Canada

“I support the FCN for the obvious reasons, if we don’t support ourselves, we will not move forwards. This network is making a difference to women in sport leadership roles, coaching roles and because of this, every aspect of sport will improve. If sport can get it right, the world will be in a better place, why? Because sport saves lives…full stop.”

Jane Figueiredo holding medals

Jane Figueiredo - IOC Lifetime Achievement Award, 2024 & NCAA Diving Coach

"I didn't feel like coaching was the way I wanted to go anymore. But having these women around me, like Vicky, it's given me a lot of courage. It reminded me that there's more to coaching than just the daily grind."

Sara Symington

Sara Symington - former Head of Olympic Programme, British Cycling, and RFL Board member

“The fact a community of women has been created, has been incredible. Women tend to have more impostor syndrome – I do – and it’s having that encouragement to have confidence in what you’re doing. I’ve just learned that you’re not in it alone.”

Irene Torealba, climbing coach

Irene Torealba - Climbing Coach, Australia

“I’’m over excited to be part of this program with so many amazing talented coaches, being able to connect with these strong women that understand the struggles of high performance, where we can be vulnerable and celebrate everyone achievements has been very powerful and inspirational, especially coming from a very new sport, Sport Climbing.”

You don't have to
navigate coaching alone.