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The IIHF (International Ice Hockey Federation) is working to address gender disparity in coaching with the HER Coaching Network (HER). Launching at the April 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Czechia, the new platform is designed to support, mentor and connect women coaches in the sport. The goal is to foster a community where they can collaborate, share experiences and advance their careers.
Despite recent progress, including the landmark achievement of having a woman coach in the NHL and several women leading teams at the U18 Women’s World Championship, women remain underrepresented behind the scenes. At the 2024 Women’s World Championship, Czechia’s Carla MacLeod was the sole woman head coach, clearly illustrating the ongoing challenges.
HER intends to address this lack of representation in coaching roles by providing a dedicated online platform for current and aspiring coaches to network, teach and learn from one another. Free for members, its mission is to create a community for support, growth and mentorship where communication is non-restricted. Members can interact through private, safe channels where no personal data is shared unless a member wants to be public.
“The lack of women coaches is a real issue everywhere and we wanted to offer support to our membership. That’s why we created HER, a network for women coaches,” said Blanka Elekes Szentagotai, IIHF Women’s Program Manager. “We know from camps and other events we’ve organized that woman-to-woman communication is just different, and we know it works.”
HER will empower women coaches by creating a visible and accessible pathway for them to connect with others in the field. Through the network, participants can engage with role models, set goals and plan their careers with the guidance of experienced mentors.
“There are lot of female hockey players who are interested in coaching or have already started coaching. For me the support I received from other coaches and colleagues in my early coaching years was a huge factor in choosing coaching as a career path,” said Saara Niemi, Head Coach of HIFK, Team Finland Assistant Coach. “When there’s someone you can share your thoughts with and ask questions, it gives you confidence and motivation to learn more.”
The platform will allow coaches to engage in a variety of ways, including regional groups, informal get-togethers and other networking events. Though there will be a number of ambassadors to help spread the word, the platform’s success will ultimately depend on its members. Rather than a hierarchical structure, HER is designed to be an inclusive, member-driven space that supports personal and professional growth. The Network is currently accepting registrations from IIHF members.
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