Fourteen aspiring female squash coaches recently completed a fully funded Women In Coaching Course at Black Ball Sporting Club, Cairo, and qualified as WSF Level 1 Coaches, according to World Squash Website
The course was led by WSF Level 2 Tutor Ashraf Hanafi and WSF Level 2 Coach and Level 1 Tutor trainee Omneya Abdel Kawy. The PSA Foundation funded the program, which introduced the trainee coaches to the core principles of coaching, including scientific principles and effective communication methods.
Omneya Abdel Kawy, a former World No.4 and coach to Egypt’s 2022 WSF Women’s World Team Championship winning team, spoke about the course. She explained that despite recent improvements, there were still not enough women in coaching roles. She added that it was her first time tutoring a coaching course, and she was excited to do it with Captain Ashram Hanafi. She also expressed the importance of getting more women into coaching and playing the sport and hoped that the course was just the beginning.
She explained that having more women in coaching roles was crucial, particularly at the junior level. The needs of girls are often different from those of boys, and a female coach can offer better understanding. Women think differently than men, especially when coaching girls. Female coaches understand the psychology and physiology of girls better and can provide a more open and engaging environment. They can communicate better with their players, understand their mood, and identify the reasons behind their performance.
Kawy also emphasized the importance of sponsored coaching programs. It was nice of the PSA Foundation to sponsor and pay for these girls, and she hopes that this initiative will inspire more girls to understand that coaching is a viable career option.
