We hosted a new panel talk on 2025-05-23 —one you’ll want to catch if you care about the evolving landscape of high-performance coaching. In this session, we gathered global coaching talent to explore a topic which, still today, is a sensitive one: the underrepresentation of female coaches at the elite levels of our sport.
Meet the Panel & Today’s Big Topic
At the heart of this episode is Joy Jouret, a Belgian coach of impressive breadth—former national player, coach of youth and senior teams (both men’s and women’s sides at the highest level), and now a scholar finishing a master’s degree in psychology with a thesis that zeroes in on gender representation in coaching. With Joy leading the way, our roundtable also featured Katrina Powell (head coach, Australian women’s national team), Janneke Schopman (ex-USA, India, and now Germany women’s national coach), and Veronica Scott (director of hockey at Colorado Academy, seasoned player and coach on three continents). I, Ernst Baart, did my best to stir the discussion and (mostly) stay out of their way.
Top Talking Points from the Workshop
The Current (Stagnant) Landscape Joy gave us a data-driven reality check: despite decades of progress in female participation, coaching numbers are stuck—globally, female coaches are just 20% across all sports, and only 10-15% at high performance. This isn’t trending upwards. And we’re not just talking field hockey.
Structural, Systemic, and Perception Barriers The panel dug into the “eco-system” of obstacles—individual, interpersonal, organisational, and societal. Want a diagram? Joy’s research has one—it looks a bit like lasagne, and it’s not always appetising.
Stereotyping and Self-Belief We all laughed and shook our heads at familiar stories—players who’d only ever been coached by men, sometimes preferring it simply because it’s what they’re used to. Katrina nailed it: “If you can’t see it, you can’t be it.” The psychological overlay—imposter syndrome, tokenism, stereotype threat—was unpacked in detail, and yes, that stuff is alive and well.
The Glass Ceiling, Rubber Walls, and Missed Opportunities Janneke recounted her own dance with the “rubber wall”—loaded with qualifications and experience, only to bounce off invisible barriers. Top jobs going unadvertised or un-interviewed? We don’t mince words.
Cultural Differences: US vs. Europe/Australia/India Veronica and Janneke reflected on the upside-down world of US college hockey, where female coaches are (in some cases) favoured, but rarely seen in men’s programs. In India or Europe, the problem is compounded by economic and cultural factors, not just gender.
Mentorship (the Real Pipeline) Call it what you like—giving back, helping the next wave, or just staying connected. Every panelist highlighted the power of informal and formal mentorship (and admitted they’re doing their bit, whether it’s baked into their job or just an open WhatsApp line).
Work-Life Realities Flexible scheduling, childcare, and transparent pay—these are not “nice to haves.” Katrina and Veronica pointed out that clubs, schools, and associations need to start with the coach’s reality, not just their own spreadsheet.
What National Bodies and FIH Should (Actually) Do There were calls (cheers, even) for more transparency in recruitment, real equality in salaries, and proper accountability for federations—especially those using government funding. Joy challenged the need for gender equity “labels” and for financial incentives tied to inclusion and diversity.
Moving Players into Coaching Whether it’s about instilling self-belief or showing clear pathways (and internships), getting high-level players—women in particular—to make the jump into coaching is still a nut to be cracked.
The Final Nudge: “Just Do It” From every angle, the message was clear: take the leap. As Joy summed it up: “You’re not a guest in hockey—you belong here.” Katrina added, “Jump in with both feet and have a go. And don’t be afraid to network.”
Fun Fact / Quote to Go
Joy on bringing your whole self to the game:
“We all have superpowers as human beings. Believe in yourself enough and your competencies—bring something really special and unique. It’s not linked to your gender. It’s linked to who you are.”
In Summary – What We Learned
This wasn’t a seminar about blaming the system or giving empty pep talks. Instead, our guests mapped out the real world we’re coaching in—from conscious and unconscious bias to genuine opportunities and the importance of allyship. We were reminded that diverse teams (on the field and in coaching boxes) make for stronger hockey—and that, while there are deep obstacles, there’s also cause for optimism and plenty of practical ideas to act on.
Ready to Take Action?
If this recap hit the mark, or if you want the full, unfiltered conversation—panelists, anecdotes, research, and all—make sure to check out the full panel talk on demand. Bring your coffee (or something stronger), this is a conversation every field hockey coach should be part of.
Let’s keep the conversation going. See you on the field—and maybe at the next panel!
P.S. Got a perspective or story of your own? Hit reply or share on our socials. We want your voice in this mix!
Share this post