W-Inspire

THEME: Uniting for Growth to Drive Change: Inspiring Women and Gender Diverse Individuals to Lead, Break Barriers, and Propel Women's Soccer Forward in Nova Scotia and Beyond

What: Full day conference for Women and Diverse Gender Individuals in Soccer in NS

Who: Female and Gender Diverse Soccer Coaches, Managers, Board Members, Leaders, Key Volunteers, Referees, Future Coaches & Referees at all clubs, schools and universities in NS

Where: Woodlawn High School, Dartmouth

When: April 15th, 9:30-3:30, Register by March 31st

How Much: $25 per person (includes lunch and TShirt)

How to Register:  Please register through the udfc.ca website using a RAMP account (under CLINICS). https://www.rampregistrations.com/login?v3=0cbce4a675

Updated Schedule 

Break out Sessions (afternoon)
Choose one from each session

Session 1: 12:30-1:30

• Overcoming common challenges as a new coach AND balancing performance with fun in training by Fawn Mulholland, United DFC, Director of Soccer (gym session).
  Join Fawn as she leads a group of players through a gym session.

Location: NEW GYM

• Beyond the Basics: Tips and tricks for Managers to develop a positive team environment. By Vicki Kellegrew, Technical Program Support Manager, UDFC and U12 A Girls Manager (classroom session)
  This is also a sharing session so bring your best tips and ideas to develop team spirit and a positive team culture.
  Location: Room 118
• Gender Equity LENS Debrief (continued over 2 breakout sessions) Facilitated by Canadian Women in Sport (2 hour classroom session)
  The Gender Equity LENS framework is a four-step process developed to help sport leaders make more equitable decisions. When you make decisions using a gender lens, you help to create the conditions for inclusion of girls and women. And greater inclusion makes sport better for ALL involved. Note: Participants should have completed the 1 hour virtual training session before coming to W-Inspire
  Location: Room 110
• Changing the Game: Sport to Develop Transformational Leadership Skills in Female Athletes  (specific to coaches) by Danielle Cyr, Halifax County SC Director of Performance, Head Coach, MSVU. (Classroom session)
  This session will explore transformational leadership and how coaches can intentionally use their environments to develop transformational leadership skills in their female athletes (and how by doing this, we can actually overcome some of the feminist barriers/ safe sport issues our female athletes currently face). The session will show coaches they are in a key role to allow the learning and practice of transformational leadership skills for their female athletes and will share ideas and resources on how to put this into action.
  Location: Room 118

Session 2: 1:45-2:45

• Player management and fun warm up options By Marissa Colzie, Manager- Club Licensing, Soccer NS, Head Coach, SMU (gym session)
  Join Marisa as she leads a group of players through a gym session where she demonstrates a variety of fun warm-up games for all ages then leads a session designed to get your keeper involved and have players take ownership.
  Location: Room NEW GYM

• Injury Care and Prevention for Athletes By Karen Decker, Physiotherapist, Accel Physiotherapy and Sport Performance Center (Classroom Session)
  “Getting Injured SUCKS! Sport Physiotherapist Karen Decker  will share the most common injuries in soccer and ways to prevent them. The session will include the most up to date knowledge on Concussions in Sport and the coach’s and parent’s role in identifying them and returning a player to the game.”
  Location: Room 118
• Gender Equity LENS Debrief (continued over 2 breakout sessions) Facilitated by Canadian Women in Sport (2 hour classroom session)
  The Gender Equity LENS framework is a four-step process developed to help sport leaders make more equitable decisions. When you make decisions using a gender lens, you help to create the conditions for inclusion of girls and women. And greater inclusion makes sport better for ALL involved. Note: Participants should have completed the 1 hour virtual training session before coming to W-Inspire
  Location: Room 110

W-Inspire T Shirts

Information

United DFC is thrilled to announce the return of W-Inspire 2023 on April 15th at Woodlawn High School in Dartmouth (9:30-3:30). This year’s theme is Uniting for Growth to Drive Change: Inspiring Women and Gender Diverse Individuals to Lead, Break Barriers, and Propel Women's Soccer Forward in Nova Scotia and Beyond. 

United DFC has collaborated with Soccer Nova Scotia and key leaders within the province to bring this incredibly popular event back with the goal of empowering our female and gender diverse coaches, managers, board members, referees as well as FUTURE coaches/referees through inspiring learning and networking opportunities. 

Registration is open to all female and gender diverse individuals across the province (and beyond) that play any role in Women's Soccer in Nova Scotia. The cost is $25 per person which includes 4 sessions, lunch and a t-shirt. Please register through the udfc.ca website using a RAMP account (under CLINICS). https://www.rampregistrations.com/login?v3=0cbce4a675

Please direct any questions to Susan Steele at susans@udfc.ca or 902-809-7287. We would love to have you join us on April 15th.

To Sponsor W-Inspire 2023 please reach out to susans@udfc.ca

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it too late to register?

T-shirts have been ordered but participants are still welcome to register up to April 13th and attend as long as they understand they won’t get a T-shirt. 

What can I expect from the day?

Participants will enjoy two large group sessions to set the tone for the day and learn about exciting things that are happening in our province around women’s soccer. Lunch is catered on site. After lunch, participants can choose their two afternoon sessions based on their interests. There will be sessions related to coaching at different levels, leadership development, injury care and prevention. Participants of all ages at the 2019 conference asked United DFC to bring W-Inspire back because it was “inspiring”, “fun”, “powerful”, “exactly what I needed”. The timing is right to PROPEL women’s soccer forward in Nova Scotia. Step one is to get everyone together because Together we are better.

How do I dress?

Wear comfortable clothing and footwear. Schools can be very hot and/or very cold so bring layers for your comfort. Anyone who registered by March 31 will be given a Tshirt at the event. The two gyms are open for a walk or quick kick around at lunch if you choose. (Lunch is 30 minutes). Athletes are being brought in for the soccer sessions so coaches can watch, but feel free to bring your soccer gear just in case. NO CLEATS as it is a school gym. Sneakers only.

Is there an age limit for who can attend? How old do you have to be?

There is no age limit on W-Inspire. All female and gender diverse individuals who play a role in Women’s Soccer in Nova Scotia are invited to attend. Most sessions have been designed for adults but interested youth are invited and highly encouraged to attend. Our young coaches, referees and leaders are the future of soccer in Nova Scotia and we are excited to welcome them with open arms. We have participants as young as 12 attending.

What if I have to leave and come back? Or show up late? Can I do that?

The day is flexible and open. Delegates are encouraged to stay for the whole day but can leave and come back as needed. Just make sure someone is able to let you back in if the doors are locked.

What is the social on Friday night?

When planning the event, the committee decided that it would be amazing to host a space where ANYONE (all genders) who played a role in Women's Soccer in NS could gather to connect to rekindle friendships, relive the golden days, make new connections and get re-energized about women's soccer. W-Inspire is happy to host a social event at the Economy Shoe Shop from 7-9 for ANYONE who has been involved with Women's Soccer at any level - past present or future. Come on down and join us! Young adults under age 19 are invited with a parent (or guardian) until 9 pm. Thank you to the Economy Shoe Shop for hosting.

My club said they would pay for me to attend. What do I do?

Registration is through United DFC’s Ramp site. Check with your club to see if they want you to pay and they reimburse you or if they have a code that they can give you to register for free. If you have a code, enter it at time of payment. If you don’t have a code, use a credit card to register and then submit that receipt to your club for reimbursement. If you don’t have a credit card, call United DFC at 902-404-8332 during office hours and they can help you pay with debit over the phone.

How do I register?

Please register through the udfc.ca website using a RAMP account (under CLINICS). If you have a RAMP account, open the link below and log into  your own Ramp account to register. If you don’t have a RAMP account, you can create one through United DFC when you follow the link. When your own RAMP account is open, choose CLINICS and look for W-Inspire 2023. If you don’t see this as an option, make sure you have clicked the link below. If you are still having trouble, email susans@udfc.ca or call 902-404-8332 during office hours.

https://www.rampregistrations.com/login?v3=0cbce4a675