Top tips for male coaches supporting women with female health in sport

04/09/2025

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Top tips for male coaches supporting women with female health in sport

Most coaches working with female athletes in performance sport are men. And being men, they don’t share the same lived experiences as the women that they coach. But that doesn’t mean they can’t learn and develop an understanding of female health.

Many coaches are doing great work. But there’s still a gap in understanding how female health factors influence the training, recovery and performance of women in elite sport.

Female health, from the menstrual cycle to pregnancy, can have a big impact on how women feel, train and perform. When coaches are confident talking about these topics and adapt their approach, female athletes are more likely to feel supported and able to thrive.

For male coaches, there’s a huge opportunity and responsibility to adapt and create person-centred environments where women can perform to their best, enjoy their sport and grow as people.

Here are some top tips from female athletes and male coaches on how to make it happen:

1. Learn about female health and how it impacts sport

Taking the initiative to educate yourself and female health will help you support your athletes better.

I wanted to know more because not having the knowledge bothered me. I went out of my way to learn a bit more so I can be a better version of myself for the athletes that I work with. Now I feel a lot more comfortable to have conversations.

Mark Samuels, Senior Lecturer on Sports Coaching at Cardiff Met University and Trampolining Coach

2. Build trust first

Creating a safe, trusting relationship is the foundation for meaningful communication – especially around sensitive topics.

“There has to be a relationship and a level of trust built before you can have one-on-one or in-person conversations. I’ve got a really good and open relationship with my male coach. In fact, when I found out I was pregnant, after my parents, he was the next person we told.” - Bethan Davies, International Racewalker

3. Create space for open conversations

Group discussions or shared experiences can help remove the stigma around female health topics and build confidence among sportswomen. Create space for open conversations.

I had a really good experience in a training camp where we had a round table discussion about the menstrual cycle. That was really lovely because both older athletes and younger athletes could share our experiences. It gave the younger athletes a lot more confidence to talk about the problems they were facing. I felt you weren’t alone with some of those problems.

Bethan Davies, International Racewalker

4. Get comfortable talking about female health

Talking about periods, hormones, or energy levels might feel awkward at first – but these conversations matter.

The first time you speak to a woman about her health, it’s probably going to feel a little bit clunky or uncomfortable. But the more you do it, the more comfortable it becomes – and I’ve only had positive experiences and outcomes from having those conversations.

Chris Lewis, Strength and Conditioning Coach, Sport Wales

“Before the first conversation, I was a bit nervous. But actually, it turned into quite a nice conversation we could build on. The more conversations we had, it definitely felt more comfortable.” – Mark Samuels, Senior Lecturer on Sports Coaching at Cardiff Met University and Trampolining Coach

5. Listen to your athletes individually

Every athlete’s needs are different so listen and adapt. That’s exactly what Mark Samuels does when coaching senior Welsh trampolinist, India Marshall.

I started noticing how different phases of my cycle affected me on the trampoline, that’s why the conversations started. Mark and I worked together on planning sessions leading up to competitions with that in mind.

India Marshall, Senior Welsh Trampolinist

“India spoke about an experience that she was going through which I didn’t know much about. After that, I needed to know more. In our last planning session, we had a chat about what phases the girls are going to be in. Having the conversations means we can make training more inviting, worthwhile and fun.” – Mark Samuels, Senior Lecturer on Sports Coaching at Cardiff Met University and Trampolining Coach.

6. Talk about the Menstrual Cycle

Understanding how the menstrual cycle affects performance and wellbeing is key for any coach working with female athletes.

“Periods are still a taboo subject within elite sport and are continuing to have a negative impact on females competing at the top-level. There is a need for everyone within sport to create an open and supportive environment where the menstrual cycle and periods can be spoken about without worries of awkwardness, shame or embarrassment.”

“The research tells us that there are gaps in knowledge around the menstrual cycle, and what can help athletes to manage their symptoms, so we’ve recently created a new e-learning module to help coaches and athletes learn more about the subject.” – Dr Natalie Brown, Sport Wales.

Take the free Menstrual Cycle in Sport course to learn more

Final Thoughts

If we want more female athletes to thrive, we need to create environments that understand and support their needs. Female health is a key part of that.

By building trust, opening conversations about health, and listening to female athletes as individuals, male coaches can play a huge role in helping sportswomen thrive.

Where to start:

Take the free Menstrual Cycle in Sport course to boost your knowledge, break down stigma, and create a coaching environment where women and girls can thrive.

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