FIVB instructors from Italy and Kenya participate in IOC’s Women in Sport High Performance Pathway programme

Two FIVB Instructors, Catherine Nafula Mabwi of Kenya and Federica Tonon of Italy, are participating in an Olympic Solidarity funded programme called Women in Sport High Performance Pathway, also known as the WISH programme, which is designed to equip around 100 women to coach at elite levels.

The WISH programme was launched by the IOC to increase the proportion of female coaches and stride towards gender parity. Working with International Federations (IFs) and National Olympic Committees (NOCs) and Organising Committees, the initiative aims to support female coaches to succeed in gaining key roles at the elite levels of coaching – Olympic, world championship and in continental teams.

Kenya’s Catherine Nafula Mabwi was part of the coaching staff for the Kenya women’s national volleyball team at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and she also conducted an Olympic Solidarity sponsored FIVB Coaches Course Level I course in Lesotho this year.

Meanwhile, Federica Tonon of Italy is an FIVB Beach Volleyball Instructor who recently conducted an Olympic Solidarity sponsored FIVB Beach Volleyball Course in St Kitts and Nevis. She was also the Head Coach of the Tuvalu and Vanuatu national teams as part of a FIVB Volleyball Empowerment project, a revolutionary development programme aimed at helping national teams reach their full potential.

The WISH initiative is a dedicated mentorship and training programme for female coaches

Last month, two of four cohorts gathered at the Institute of Sport at the UK’s University of Hertfordshire for the residential week of their 21-month programme. Under the banner of “Empowering Women Coaches”, the 19 women spent the week immersed in activities designed to further develop their leadership skills, confidence and careers.

The week covered modules ranging from self-assessment and creative problem-solving to positive coaching culture and how to lead under pressure.