Women in Coaching Case Competition

The Women in Coaching case competition offers a platform to generate bold ideas and actionable solutions to reshape women’s experiences in the sport sector. By addressing systemic barriers and promoting women’s participation in sport, teams can create solutions that not only transform the sport sector but also advance equity, innovation, and growth on a broader scale. 

Prizes

Winning teams not only have the opportunity to create a real-world impact in the sport sector, but they also have an opportunity to win a cash prize.

• First Place earns $5,000.00 CAD.
• Second Place earns $3,000.00 CAD.
• Third Place earns $2,000.00 CAD.

Eligibility

The Women in Coaching case competition is open to student-athletes enrolled at Saint Mary’s University for the 2025/2026 academic year. Student-athletes must apply in groups of five.

Statement of Interest

Students must submit their Statement of Interest in established groups of five and be available to participate for the entire duration of the contest.

Your team’s statement of interest must include the following details:

• Name, @smu.ca email address, and program of study for each team member.
• Description of the team highlighting the skills, interests, and experiences each team member brings to the competition.

Statements of Interest must be submitted to mccain.mcleancentre@smu.ca by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

Contest Structure

Teams will research and build their cases before presenting them to a panel for adjudication. Once the panel has deliberated and the winners are announced, there will be an opportunity for teams to debrief. 

Please ensure that each member of your team is aware of, and available on, the following dates:

• Statement of Interest Deadline: Tuesday, October 7 at 11:59 p.m.
• Case Brief: Tuesday, October 28 from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m.
• Presentation Day: Tuesday, November 4 from 5:00 - 8:30 p.m.
• Debrief: Monday, November 10 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. 

Competition events will take place on Saint Mary's University Campus in SH212 at the times noted above. 

Supporting Women in Sports Business

Coaching is a critical pillar in the business of sport, influencing team success, athlete development, and broader sporting culture. Despite the growing participation of women in sports, their representation in coaching roles remains disproportionately low, particularly at elite and professional levels.

The Women in Coaching case competition challenges participating teams to develop innovative strategies to address barriers to women’s recruitment, retention, and advancement in coaching.

Participating in this competition gives you and your teammates a unique opportunity to make a real, positive impact in the industry. The experience you will gain through this opportunity will help pave the way to a stronger, more diverse, and more inclusive culture in sport.