Closing the Knowledge Gap in Coaching and Support for Male Coaches
Despite growing momentum behind women’s sport, one of the most common - yet least discussed - barriers to participation remains breast health and support. For many athletes, discomfort, lack of education and uncertainty around sports bras can impact confidence, performance and ultimately whether they stay in sport at all.
To address this, boobydoo has partnered with the Female Coaching Network (FCN) to deliver a targeted solution for coaches: the CIMSPA-endorsed Sports Bra Advocate Course.
While awareness of female athlete health is improving, many coaches still lack the knowledge and skills to approach conversations around breast support - particularly male coaches.
This gap is significant. Coaches play a critical role in shaping athlete experiences, and avoiding these conversations can leave athletes unsupported at key moments in their development.
Vicky Huyton, Founder of the Female Coaching Network explains: “Coaches need the confidence and knowledge to support the whole athlete, and that includes being able to have open conversations around topics like breast health. This course is an important step in breaking down those barriers.”
The Sports Bra Advocate Course has been designed to address this. Through practical guidance, real-world coaching scenarios and dedicated learning modules, it equips coaches with the tools and language needed to approach the topic professionally and appropriately.
The enhanced programme includes guidance on starting conversations around athlete wellbeing, safeguarding frameworks for both female and male coaches, role-play coaching scenarios, expert interviews exploring posture and biomechanics, and practical tools to help coaches confidently support and signpost athletes.
A key focus is enabling male coaches to engage in these conversations with greater assurance, helping to normalise discussion and ensure all athletes feel supported and understood.
Cody Royle, author of three books on coaching and mentor to professional Head Coaches across the globe, understands the vital role that supportive communication plays in athlete development and performance. "Part of being a great coach is the ability to have mature conversations with our athletes about a range of topics that affect their performance. I'm a fan of this Sports Bra Advocate Course that the FCN and Boobydoo have put together, because it approaches the topic of sports bras and breast health in a professional manner, while providing tools and language that can help both male and female coaches be more skilful. If we have more comfortable coaches we'll have more comfortable athletes, too!"
Recognising Coaching Development
With the addition of enhanced coaching-focused content, the course is now worth 6.5 CPD points, reflecting its role in developing more capable, well-rounded coaches who can support female athletes more effectively.
As Amelia Doxey, Brand Manager at boobydoo adds: “Breast health has historically been overlooked in sport, yet it has a direct impact on an athlete’s comfort, confidence and performance. By working with the Female Coaching Network, we’re giving coaches the tools and language to support their athletes in a way that is both professional and impactful.”
This development reflects a broader shift in coaching, one that values not only technical and tactical expertise, but also communication, empathy and the ability to support the full range of factors influencing performance.
Creating Environments Where Athletes Thrive
Improving education in this area is not just about comfort, it’s about retention, performance and long-term participation. When athletes feel physically supported and psychologically safe, they are far more likely to stay engaged in sport.
By equipping coaches with the skills to have informed, appropriate conversations, the Sports Bra Advocate Course is helping to remove a long-standing barrier and create more inclusive sporting environments.
Because supporting female athletes doesn’t start with equipment, it starts with conversation.
To find out more about the Sports Bra Advocate Course, please visit: https://www.boobydoo.fit/sportsbraadvocatecourse
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