Programs & Academies

The IWLCA offers a variety of programming designed to educate, connect, and support players and coaches at every stage of their careers. These initiatives foster leadership, mentorship, and collaboration while strengthening the coaching community and advancing the sport of women’s lacrosse. 

IWLCA Spark

The IWLCA Spark program is designed to support and empower novice head coaches through an immersive learning experience focused on the evolving demands of collegiate coaching. Through education, mentorship, peer engagement, and self-reflection, participants develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to lead successful programs while building a strong network of support. Grounded in the principles of adaptability, inspiration, collaboration, consideration, and respect, Spark fosters leadership development and celebrates excellence both on and off the field.

The inaugural IWLCA Spark pilot cohort will launch in August 2026 and will include a select group of 12–15 head coaches with fewer than four years of experience leading a collegiate program. The cohort is intentionally designed to bring together coaches from diverse backgrounds, institutions, and competitive levels, creating an environment where participants can exchange ideas, expand their perspectives, and build meaningful professional relationships.

Taking place primarily during the fall semester, Spark combines live virtual sessions, asynchronous learning opportunities, peer-to-peer engagement, and in-person programming at the IWLCA Convention. Developed in partnership with e.t.c. coaching consultants, the program will be facilitated by Sarah McQuade and Julie Muller. Participants are expected to fully engage with the curriculum, contribute to their Community of Practice, and provide feedback that will help shape the future of the program.

The program is open to current IWLCA members and is offered at no cost to selected participants, with the IWLCA underwriting all program expenses. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to continued growth, provide a letter of recommendation from an athletics administrator, and explain how the program aligns with their career aspirations and how they will contribute to the cohort experience.

Application for the 2026 SPARK program launched on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, and the application period closes on Friday, July 24, 2026.

 ASPIRE Program

“Hearing other people’s stories, learning from each other’s triumphs and challenges, and watching others have breakthrough coaching moments really allowed me to dig deeper into my own personal and professional development." - Kelsey Howard, Stanford University Assistant Coach 

The IWLCA Aspire Assistant Coach Program is a professional development initiative designed to provide assistant coaches with intensive, high-quality continuing education that supports their growth and long-term success in the profession. Launched in 2024 with an inaugural class of 17 participants, Aspire expanded in 2025 to feature two cohorts of 15 coaches each for the 2025–26 cycle — the “Aspire to Inspire” Cohort and the “Elevate” Cohort — reflecting the IWLCA’s commitment to offering meaningful opportunities to a greater number of coaches.

Developed in partnership with e.t.c. coaching consultants, the program is facilitated by industry leaders Sarah McQuade and Julie Muller. Participants engage in a comprehensive curriculum that blends virtual sessions with in-person programming throughout the fall semester, concluding in January to allow coaches to focus fully on their competitive seasons.

By creating a collaborative learning environment, Aspire equips coaches with the tools, strategies, and mentorship they need to advance their careers while strengthening the overall landscape of women’s lacrosse coaching. The program is part of the IWLCA’s broader vision to foster professional excellence, improve retention rates, and ensure assistant coaches are prepared to lead both on and off the field.

If you have questions, contact Danie Caro at [email protected]

Application for the 2026 ASPIRE program launched on Monday, June 8, 2026, and the application period closes on Friday, July 24, 2026.

Next Up: IWLCA Coaching Symposium

The Next Up: IWLCA Coaching Symposium is a professional development initiative created to introduce and prepare the next generation of women’s lacrosse coaches. Launched in 2022, the symposium provides graduating student-athletes and current graduate assistants from IWLCA member institutions with the tools, knowledge, and connections to successfully transition into collegiate coaching.

Who Should Participate: Eligible participants include college women’s lacrosse graduates who have exhausted their eligibility in 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 and are interested in pursuing collegiate coaching careers. Current graduate assistants at IWLCA member institutions are also encouraged to register.

What to Expect: The symposium blends on-demand recorded sessions, live virtual presentations, a panel discussion, and small group workshops, along with a Virtual Job Fair. Participants will hear directly from current and emeritus IWLCA member coaches, engage in meaningful conversations, and gain practical skills to support their job search and career advancement.

When: Live sessions will be hosted virtually according to the schedule below, with small group workshops scheduled based on participants’ availability.

2026 SCHEDULE (2027 Schedule will be posted in March 2027)

April 20, 2026 (Monday)
Presentation – 7:00 pm ET
Philosophy & Values – e.t.c. Coaching Consultants

April 28, 2026 (Tuesday)
Presentation – 7:00 pm ET
Conducting Your Job Search – Chelsea Hoffman, AFTER

May 4, 2026 (Monday)
Virtual Job Fair/Networking: 7:00 – 8:30 pm ET
Special Guest: Cindy Timchal, Head Coach, US Naval Academy

May 11, 2026 (Monday)
Panel Discussion – 7:00 pm ET
Coaching 101 - Moderated by Amy Bokker

Why It Matters: The symposium equips aspiring coaches with a baseline understanding of the demands and rewards of the collegiate coaching profession. It also creates a built-in network of experienced mentors and a peer group entering the field together, helping to attract and retain talented women’s lacrosse players in the coaching pipeline.

How to Apply: Apply online by April 6, 2027
The symposium will be offered at no-cost to participants, and participants will be offered ongoing networking opportunities with current and former IWLCA member coaches as they navigate their job searches. Selected participants will be notified by April 9, 2027, and will need to confirm their participation by April 15, 2027.

APPLY ONLINE - Application period will open in March 2027

FACILITATORS NEEDED: If you are interested in serving as a samll group facilitator/mentor to a group of symposium participants, please apply HERE before April 2. This is a paid position.

Future Leaders of the Game: Multiracial Students Leadership Academy

Who: Women's lacrosse student-athletes that self-identify as members of the BIPOC community and are enrolled at IWLCA Member Institutions

What: This virtual Leadership Academy is designed to empower and encourage BIPOC student-athletes to develop their personal leadership skills and grow into strong leaders and role models on their teams, campuses, and in their communities. Additionally, the Academy will foster a sense of community and belonging among the participants and provide them with networking opportunities with current IWLCA coaches.

When: A total of six sessions will be held in January, 2027. Programming will consist of both formal presentations from featured speakers along with moderated small group discussion sessions (see detailed schedule below). A closing networking session with program faculty, IWLCA leadership, and distinguished guests will allow participants to interact informally with those working to promote inclusion in the sport.

Why: The Leadership Academy will provide women’s lacrosse student-athletes from underrepresented groups an opportunity to develop personally, hone their leadership skills and foster a sense of community among participants that transcends divisional, conference, and program boundaries.

Apply online by December 11, 2026.
The leadership academy will be offered at no-cost to participants.  Selected participants will be notified by December 17, 2026 and will need to confirm their attendance by December 27, 2026.

APPLY ONLINE - Applications for 2027 will open in November 2026

Questions may be directed to Danie Caro, IWLCA Director Internal Operations and Programming, ([email protected] / 203-577-5742).

2026 SCHEDULE  (2027 schedule will be posted in November 2026)
All sessions will be conducted virtually.

• Sunday, January 4, 7:00 pm ET – Leadership Academy Kickoff / Small Group Discussion Session #1
• Tuesday, January 6, 7:30 pm ET – Moderated Small Group Discussion Session #2
• Thursday, January 8, 7:00 pm ET – Featured presentation - Nia Crump
• Monday, January 12, 7:30 pm ET – Moderated Small Group Discussion Session #3
• Thursday, January 15, 8:15 pm ET – Featured presentation - Jen Fry
• Sunday, January 18, 7:00 pm ET – Closing Networking Session

FACILITATORS NEEDED: The IWLCA is currently seeking facilitators for this program. Interested coaches can apply online HERE. Deadline to apply is December 4.