International Women’s Day serves as a powerful reminder of the need to accelerate action to ensure that all women have equal access to sport.
FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “Hockey can pride itself to be a gender equal sport as the overall participation worldwide – 51% women, 49% men – shows. However, we are determined to intensify our commitments towards diversity and inclusion. Gender equality efforts are, more than ever, a strategic priority for the FIH”.
One of the challenges for gender equality in sports often emerges early in life, with body image concerns preventing many teenage girls from fully participating and enjoying sports. These insecurities are often fueled by harmful gender stereotypes, unrealistic beauty and athletic standards, uncomfortable or overly revealing uniforms, and criticism of their appearance or performance.
As a result, many girls lose interest or feel discouraged from continuing in sports. Research shows that body image concerns lead half of teenage girls to quit sports altogether. Tackling this issue requires a collective effort to increase awareness and implement meaningful solutions. Coaches, in particular, play a vital role in shaping young athletes’ experiences and helping them build confidence in their abilities.
The role of Coaches in inspiring confidence
Ireland’s national team captain Sarah Hawkshaw shared her personal experience:
“It was the mother of two of our players who was my first coach—she really believed in me,” said Hawkshaw. “When I first started playing hockey, I didn’t believe in myself, but she pushed me to back myself and inspired me to keep going. I’d be lying if I said I never struggled with body confidence in school. Growing up, there are perceptions about how an athlete should look. Ironically, sport was what gave me confidence, even though body image concerns can often deter girls from participating. Having a supportive group around me that reminded me how strong our bodies are—and how much confidence we gain through sport—kept me going. My advice for girls is that it doesn’t matter what you look like; no matter how you’re involved in sports, what you get out of it is invaluable and will take you far in life.”
Manuela Urroz, captain of the Chilean national team, echoed this sentiment:
“Many coaches have inspired me, but if I had to choose one, it would be Sergio Vigil. He led us through an eight-year process where we learned so much—not only about hockey but also about life. His impact has been profound, not just on Las Diablas but on Chilean hockey as a whole.”
New Zealand’s captain Olivia Shannon also reflected on the coaches who shaped her career:
“Two coaches have inspired me the most. Shea McAleese had a massive impact on my hockey career—pushing me, helping me understand the game, the culture, and the mindset needed to succeed. Having a coach like that is incredibly important. I also had a female coach who taught me so much about team culture, environment, and inclusiveness, which has been invaluable in my journey.”
A global initiative for change
FIH, in collaboration with Laureus Sport for Good and Nike, is supporting the Body Confident Sport Program—a global initiative designed to prevent girls from dropping out of sport due to body image concerns. The program aims to help girls and young people of all gender identities feel more comfortable being active and participating in sports.
Since its launch, the program has been shared worldwide, raising awareness and positively impacting thousands of coaches and players. FIH remains committed to continuing this vital work—raising awareness and implementing solutions to ensure every girl feels confident and empowered in sport.
Scotland’s captain Sarah Jamieson shared her experience:
“I’ve personally struggled with my own body. I’ve played a lot of hockey and other sports, so my legs were stronger and bigger than those of other girls at school. But my advice is to focus on what your body can do, not how it looks. My legs have brought me here—they are strong, and they are fast. Try not to compare yourself to others and instead focus on what your body is capable of.”
Scotland’s Head Coach Chris Duncan said:
“The most important thing is to build trust and strong relationships between coaches and athletes so we can have open and honest conversations. All the changes that happen in the female body during the teenage years are natural, and we need to create an environment where it’s okay to talk about them. There is definitely a challenge for male coaches working in this space because these topics have been considered taboo for so long. However, as an organization, we are working hard to break down those barriers and encourage open discussions. The advice I would give is to always be eager to learn. As coaches and athletes, we are on this journey together. We need to understand how we can provide the right support and, most importantly, ask athletes what kind of support they need. Over time, this builds trust and strengthens the conversations we have. At the end of the day, our job as coaches is to support the players in the best way possible.”
South African Michelle Joubert, also emphasized:
“It is important to focus on skill development and overall well-being rather than just body shaping, as the true reason people participate in sports goes beyond physical appearance. Sports contribute significantly to mental health, helping individuals manage pressure and stress. There are numerous benefits beyond just concerns about body image. Through education and workshops, women can learn that sports are about development, not just physical appearance. I always say: ‘Healthy mind, healthy body’—and it works both ways. I believe the issue lies in a lack of education and awareness; we must recognize that everyone is different. As long as you can perform, that’s what truly matters. Learning to love yourself is key.”
Yoki Sakamoto, Director General of the Japanese Hockey Association said:
“Our senior women’s team, Sakura Japan, has successfully participated in six consecutive Olympic Games. However, we are now exploring ways to increase the number of girls playing hockey and how they can integrate the sport into their daily lives. We believe that hockey brings joy and confidence to people at all levels.
We recognize that every girl has a unique personality and motivation for playing, and we aim to foster a culture that encourages all girls to become healthier and happier through a positive hockey experience. To create environments where girls feel comfortable, we are considering initiatives such as collaborating with hockey towns and introducing body confidence coaching programs as a starting point. Gathering their experiences and feedback will be invaluable for shaping our approach”.
Luciana Aymar (Argentina), considered as the best female player of all times, said:
“Sport and hockey are about having fun, and nothing should take away from that. Body confidence issues are a real challenge that must be acknowledged and properly addressed. I am a strong ambassador and advocate for Body Confident Sport because when athletes have a positive body image, they feel happier both on and off the field of play”.
Continuous and concrete action is needed on multiple fronts to further accelerate progress on gender equality. Since November 2024, FIH has united its efforts through the FIH Women in Hockey Empowerment Project, with a commitment to:
- Identify, analyze, and address issues of inequality across all levels of hockey by providing coaches with the materials they need to help build body confidence for girls, and make sport a place where they feel like they belong.
- Accelerate opportunities for girls and women in hockey to advance and lead;
- Create a mechanism to celebrate successful women in the sport, positioning them as role models for other women and girls
“These commitments are meant for the entire hockey community. We want National Associations, Continental Federations, and everyone involved in hockey to commit to these objectives. Only by recognizing the need for action and pledging to advance gender equality through concrete measures will we truly make a difference,” said Marijke Fleuren, Chair of the FIH Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee.
Tayyab Ikram, FIH President concluded: “Our focus is on empowering young girls, supporting elite female coaches, and increasing the number of women in leadership positions. More initiatives are in the pipeline, and we are excited about our future plans to achieve these important milestones. On the occasion of this year’s International Women’s Day, I’d like to urge the global hockey community to fully embrace diversity and inclusion to ensure, in particular, equal access to our sport to women and men.”
Body Confident Sport is a first-of-its-kind, evidence-based set of coaching tools to build body confidence in 11–17 year-old girls. It was co-developed by Dove and Nike, in partnership with world-renowned researchers and experts – the Centre for Appearance Research and the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport – and includes input from girls and coaches from six countries, including France, India, Japan, Mexico, the U.K. and the U.S.
The FIH ‘Women in Hockey’ empowerment project is a continuation and core focus of the Empowerment and Engagement Strategy launched by FIH in June 2023. To find out more visit madefor.hockey.
Source: FIH.hockey
