On 16 January, 28 coaches graduated from cohort 4 of the Women in Sport High-Performance (WISH) training programme, bringing the total to 120 female coaches from 22 sports disciplines – including hockey – who have not completed the programme. Backed by Olympic Solidarity funding, this initiative aims to address the underrepresentation of women in elite coaching.

Among the graduates were Sofie Gierts and Joy Jouret, both former Red Panthers (Belgium’s national hockey team), who benefited from one-on-one leadership mentoring as well as ongoing support from a sport-specific mentor.

“The graduation was an emotional and inspiring milestone, marking both an end and a new beginning. It was a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve all been on, celebrating the growth, achievements, and bonds forged through the programme,” said Joy Jouret.

Reflecting on key takeaways, Joy highlighted the power of community:

“Being surrounded by like-minded, ambitious women from around the world, all pushing boundaries in high-performance coaching, was truly motivating. The ceremony also reinforced the importance of mentorship and collaboration in achieving our goals. Overall, the WISH programme has been a transformative experience. It has given me not just technical skills but also the confidence and support network to push forward in a male-dominated field. The ‘closure’ was less about an ending and more about stepping boldly into the next chapter—equipped and inspired to make a difference.”

As a former international player and an experienced high-level coach for the International, European, and Belgian Hockey Federations, Joy Jouret remains committed to accelerating gender equality in hockey. Since graduating from WISH, she has hosted the "Breaking Boundaries", an FIH Academy Masterclass, part of the FIH Women in Hockey Empowerment Project, where she shared insights and strategies to help other women overcome barriers in high-performance coaching. She is also pursuing a Master’s thesis in Psychology at the University of Louvain-La-Neuve (Belgium), focusing on the underrepresentation of women in high-level coaching.

“I aim to implement cutting-edge techniques and leadership skills gained through WISH in my own coaching practice, helping my athletes reach their full potential—both on and off the field,” she concluded.

Meanwhile, Sofie Gierts is currently the head coach of a men's First Division team in Belgium—a role that remains exceptional and, unfortunately, still too rare for women. Commenting on the presence of women in elite coaching positions, Sofie stated:

“Female coaches are still an exception, and that needs to change. There is scientific evidence that diverse leadership teams function better. Research shows that gender diversity in leadership contributes to better decision-making, greater safety, innovation, and financial performance. One of the most important pillars of this programme is strengthening the network to support each other.”

Looking ahead, Sofie emphasized the importance of leading by example:

“Gender equality is not just a matter of policy but a practice that should be embedded in our daily work. When we collaborate, we achieve better results. I want to continue building an inclusive and inspiring sports environment that demonstrates how equality and top performance go hand in hand.”

Undoubtedly, the WISH programme marks a significant step toward gender equality in high-performance sport. However, much work remains to close the gap and increase the number of women in leadership roles.

“At FIH, accelerating opportunities for women is a key pillar of the FIH Empowerment and Engagement Strategy and the recently launched FIH Women in Hockey Empowerment Project. We are committed to uplifting and engaging female players, coaches, officials, and leaders in the sport. Through this initiative, we are also proud to align with the IOC’s efforts to advance gender equality in sports” said Tayyab Ikram, FIH President.

“Hockey has demonstrated a genuine commitment to equality and inclusion, but this remains a continuous journey. We must continue making efforts to empower women in leadership positions. The WISH experience has taught us that progress is most effective when achieved collectively—through networking, connecting with one another, and learning from the experiences of other women. It is equally important to ensure that these learnings are passed on to future generations” concluded Marijke Fleuren, FIH Chair of the Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

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