2024 marked a monumental milestone with the 10th anniversary of the Japanese Women Coaches and Leaders Academy (JWCLA) in October. Organized by the Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport (JWCRS) and Juntendo University, this Academy has dedicated the last decade to cultivating and empowering women leaders and coaches across Japan. It has created an enduring impact on the participants, their communities, and the broader landscape of sports across all levels of competition.
Athlete Assessments’ CEO, Liz Masen, a faculty member of the Academy since its inception in 2014, reflected on the Academy’s profound achievements. “An entire decade is a long time!”
She continued, emphasizing the powerful, sustained impact of the Academy’s graduates.
“I think about the coaches and women leaders who have been a part of the Academy over this last decade and their impact when they have returned to their club, school, team, or organization. They are the ones who create the real change, the change that is enduring, and the difference they make on a daily, weekly, yearly basis.”
Liz also attended an alumni event this year, an opportunity that highlighted the Academy’s ongoing influence through a strong network of past participants.
“It was commendable to JWCRS and Juntendo University that they have built a culture within these programs that is more than the Academy they first attend. The coaches and leaders have a committed network of women just like them, who have an enduring role with each other. They continue to be devoted to their personal and professional development. Sport for women and girls (and boys and men) is in phenomenal hands with these women leading in the way they do, at every level of their organizations.”
Over the years, the Academy has come to mean much more than professional development for its participants; it has become a space of solidarity and mutual understanding among women in sport. As Liz expressed, “The program is more than an educational experience. It is a togetherness, a mutual understanding of what the women are working on and towards. It can be incredibly isolating sometimes being a woman in sport and leadership, and having the opportunity to connect, support, be supported, and develop together is powerful.”
Each year, Liz presents on debriefing and applying Athlete Assessments’ CoachDISC Profiles, which are completed by participants prior to attending the Academy. The use of the CoachDISC provides the women leaders and coaches with an opportunity to build self-awareness and reflect on their unique coaching and leadership style. In addition, it also provides a space for open discussion and connection by exploring how to value differences and similarities when working with others, using DISC as a lens to view it.
Liz credits much of the Academy’s success to the unwavering dedication of Etsuko Ogasawara and her team at JWCRS, whose vision and commitment have transformed women’s sports in Japan. Liz said, praising their tireless efforts,
“Congratulations to Etsuko Ogasawara and the entire team at JWCRS, What they have created, built, and sustained is having a huge impact on women and girls’ participation in sport in Japan. And on a personal note, they have an invaluable impact on me too. Every year I leave Japan feeling inspired and grateful and with a renewed energy to be purposeful. Their unstoppable belief in their work, their level of professionalism and organization is beyond words, their inexhaustible passion, and their heart-felt care for others is genuine. How lucky am I to be able to see and be part of this!”
As the Academy celebrates a decade of impact, its influence is visible not only in Japan but internationally, serving as a model for how women’s leadership in sports can thrive. Through its network, educational programs, and the lasting impact on every individual involved, the Japanese Women Coaches and Leaders Academy is an enduring example of how dedicated efforts in sport can foster transformative change in society. This 10th anniversary stands as a testament to the power of women supporting women, building leadership capacities, and shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for sports.
Where to from here?
Athlete Assessments are proud to be involved in numerous coach and leadership development programs, providing tailored and meaningful contributions through the use of our DISC Profiling. If you are looking for ways to create opportunities for tailored development your coaches and leaders, or you have a program in place that you would like us to contribute to, please reach out to us.
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