IWLCA Announces Inaugural Cohort for New IWLCA Aspire Program

The IWLCA is pleased to announce the launch of the IWLCA Aspire Program, a new professional development program designed to align with the IWLCA's vision and offer an intensive, high-quality continuing education opportunity for current assistant coaches.

The IWLCA has engaged e.t.c. coaching consultants to plan and execute the program curriculum. Sarah McQuade and Julie Muller will serve as the lead facilitators and will help guide an initial cohort of 18 coaches during the academic year.

“I’m super excited to welcome the inaugural cohort of coaches to the Aspire coach development program,” stated Executive Director Liz Robertshaw. “One of the IWLCA's goals is to support the next generation of leaders in our game, and through the Aspire program, we have committed to furthering their development as they pursue their career goals. We can’t wait to see how this impacts our coaches and moves them forward in their respective careers.”

The IWLCA Aspire program will aim to enhance coaches' professional knowledge, skills, and capabilities through a dynamic blended learning approach. The program will run from early September 2024 through the spring of 2025 and will feature virtual learning through asynchronous online course content, interactive webinars, in-person workshops at the IWLCA Convention, and individual mentoring sessions.

In addition to these educational components, the Aspire program will foster a supportive community of practice for the cohort. Coaches will have the opportunity to collaborate, share insights, and support each other's professional growth.

The inaugural class of 2025 consists of the following individuals: