PROGRAM OVERVIEW:
The Women & Girls Engagement Initiative (WGEI) is a structured leadership and engagement program dedicated to creating supportive environments where more girls choose to stay in sport. Spanning every level of play—from Rec, Skill Centre, Divisional, and BCSPL to U8–U18+ and adult Women's divisions—WGEI strengthens confidence, connection, and opportunities for personal and athletic growth at every stage. The initiative accomplishes this through a dedicated mentorship pathway, practical coaching opportunities, off-field education, and inclusive community programming. By actively growing the number and visibility of female coaches and mentors, WGEI empowers women and girls to thrive as impactful players, confident leaders, and lifelong participants in the game.
QUESTIONS?
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Jessica Hamilton at jhamilton@coastalfc.ca
WGEI Pillars
The vision of the Women & Girls Engagement Initiative is to establish Coastal FC as a leading community hub for girls and women in soccer creating lifelong opportunities to play, coach, lead, learn, connect, and belong. Through relevant programming and inclusive spaces, Coastal FC can become more than a soccer club for girls; it will be the community's third space, where relationships are built, memories are made, and a lifelong love of the game thrives.
Junior Coach Pathway
Junior Coaches will:
-
Support training sessions through Friday Nights for the Girls sesions
-
Assist with camps & Pro-D days
-
Contribute to team environments
-
Pipeline to Coaching licences
-
Mentor/Mentee connections
-
Step into leadership roles
Impact:
-
Builds confidence
-
Creates internal coaching pipeline
-
Strengthens retention
Community Building
This initiative creates:
-
Stronger connections across age groups
-
Visible female leadership
-
Increased confidence in players
-
A sense of belonging within the club
Long-Term Vision:
-
Girls Festival / Tournament
-
Club-wide engagement model
-
Expanded programming
-
Girls camps
Female Coach Education
Quarterly women’s coaching sessions:
-
Open to multi-sport coaches
-
Guest speakers & shared learning
-
Mentorship and networking
-
TELUS She Can Coach integration
Impact:
-
Increased coach retention
-
Stronger leadership network
-
Cross-sport collaboration
Female Athlete Development
Focused off-field programming:
-
Own Your Game: Safe Sport, Safe Future
-
Body Image in Girls Sport
-
Mental Skill Development
-
Confident Bodies
Delivery:
-
Rotary Field House sessions
-
Weekly / bi-weekly
-
30 players per session
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
To complete your application, please ensure you include the following:
-
A current member player U8-U18 or volunteer-coach of Coastal FC for the Fall 2026/27 season who identifies as female.
-
U8-U18 Recreational
-
U8-U13 Skill Centre
-
U14-U18 Rep/Divisional
-
U14-U18 BCSPL
-
-
A former member, such as a player, parent or volunteer coach of Coastal FC.
JUNIOR COACH APPLICATION:
FEMALE ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT - PLAYER PARTICIPANT
-
As a participant in the Female Athlete Development Program, you will attend weekly Tuesday evening sessions from November through March. You will connect with mentors and participate in the Girls Forward Mental Skills curriculum to build confidence on and off the field. Further details will be provided if you are selected for the program.
FEMALE ATHLETE DEVELOPMENT - ROLE MODEL:
-
As a role model in the Female Athlete Development Program, you will commit to attending weekly sessions on Tuesday evenings from November through March. During these sessions, you will directly engage with young players, lead by example, and actively guide and support them through the Girls Forward Mental Skills curriculum.
Jessica Hamilton will review your application and contact you if it meets the program requirements.
Jessica Hamilton
Jessica leads Coastal FC’s Women & Girls Engagement Initiative, drawing on an extensive background in Division 1 soccer, top-tier coaching, and community leadership. A former NCAA athlete at Mississippi Valley State and Eastern Kentucky University, she holds Soccer for Life and Learn to Train certifications, coached with Ajax FC and Power Soccer, and served as a two-time Ontario Soccer Board Nominee.
Having joined Coastal FC in 2025 as a Skill Centre Coach and Events Manager, Jessica also steps up as the 2026 U8–U13 Rec Program Lead. Combined with her professional background in community outreach (Equal Voice, Credit Valley Conservation), she is dedicated to growing female participation, empowering young players, and building an inclusive environment for girls to thrive on and off the pitch.