Following a successful ‘Women in Coaching’ summit last fall, USTA Coaching launched the first Women in Coaching Cohort, including 25 female coaches from multiple sports and stages of their careers.
According to USTA, this cohort kicked off its year-long journey with a three-day event in Florida, where attendees networked, listened to seminars and learned more about the year ahead.
The year-long program aims to “systematically address the persistent barriers women face in entering, advancing, and staying in the coaching profession, expanding opportunities, and reshaping the future of the coaching industry.”
Related: Game Changers: USTA’s Megan Rose Shares Takeaways from ‘Women in Coaching’ Summit
On day one, the coaches focused on personal branding and influence. Day two included sessions on career sustainability and strategies for thriving in a male-dominated workplace, and on day three, attendees got hands-on experience improving their communication skills.
USTA Coaching will mentor the women in the soft skills of coaching throughout the year. The cohort, made up of coaches from the high school, college and private clubs, will gain skills in financial literacy, physical health, mental health, personal branding and public speaking. With a strong foundation, USTA hopes the women will become subject matter experts who can “present at conferences, lead sessions for sections and clubs, mentor other coaches and model what long-term, sustainable coaching careers can look like for women.”
In the coming years, USTA Coaching aims to expand the cohort program and create multiple groups. The organization has already planned to repeat last fall’s ‘Women in Coaching’ summit at the US Open.
When Megan Rose spoke with Athletic Business in the days following the 2025 ‘Women in Coaching’ summit, she described the female-centered approach by USTA as aiming to “make the profession more inclusive, sustainable and connected, so more people can step into coaching and stay in it.”
