The Power of Mentorship in Women’s Soccer: Uplifting Players and Coaches
Mentorship in women’s soccer is more than sharing tactics or coaching drills—it’s a powerful tool for shaping confident, resilient, and successful athletes and leaders. For both players and coaches, mentorship offers support, skill-building, and a path forward in a sport where women still face structural barriers.
Whether you're a young player developing confidence or an aspiring coach finding your leadership voice, mentorship is often the key that unlocks long-term success.
Why Mentorship Matters—For Players and Coaches
For Youth Players: Confidence, Belonging & Growth
Confidence is one of the most important predictors of success for girls in sport. Yet, research shows that girls’ confidence drops significantly during adolescence—causing many to quit sports altogether.
Mentorship can reverse this trend. Coaches and older players who actively mentor young girls foster environments where failure is safe, effort is praised, and potential is seen.
A 2023 study by the Women’s Sports Foundation revealed that girls with strong sports mentors are significantly more likely to stay involved in sports, believe in their leadership abilities, and view physical activity positively (WSF).
Mentorship is a cornerstone in top club academies like FC Barcelona Femení, where senior players regularly engage with youth teams to offer guidance on mindset, nutrition, and self-belief.
Former USWNT captain Becky Sauerbrunn is widely recognized as a peer mentor who helps younger players navigate the pressures of international soccer—emphasizing professionalism, mental health, and resilience.
For Coaches: Representation, Retention & Role Modeling
In soccer, women remain underrepresented in coaching roles—particularly at the elite level. Mentorship provides aspiring women coaches with a roadmap: how to advance, how to lead, and how to stay.
Only 25% of NCAA head coaching jobs and fewer than 10% of top-tier professional head coaching roles are held by women (askmebro.org).
The SheChampions Coaching Mentorship Program—launched by former USWNT head coach Jill Ellis—focuses on increasing the number of licensed women coaches in the U.S. through hands-on guidance and structured support.
Clubs like the Washington Spirit (NWSL) have implemented coaching mentorship programs specifically designed to pair young female coaches with experienced mentors—offering real-world opportunities and leadership training.
The Impact of Mentorship in Soccer
Mentorship in women’s soccer isn't just about passing on knowledge—it’s about shaping identity, nurturing confidence, and building a future where women belong in every corner of the sport.
Key benefits include:
Stronger retention of girls in soccer through confidence-building support.
Higher representation of women in coaching through structured mentorship.
Improved team culture as players learn leadership from those ahead of them.
Mentorship Builds the Future of Women’s Soccer
If we want to grow the women’s game, we must do more than train athletes—we need to mentor people. From youth players discovering their power to coaches climbing the leadership ladder, mentorship is how we ensure the next generation not only succeeds but thrives.
In a world where women are still fighting for equal recognition in sport, mentorship is one of the most effective tools we have to shift the game—for good.