WSL

• "We're thrilled to have partnered for the second time at this year's World Surf League US Open," said Darren Rude, Founder of Youtheory.
• "The collaboration allowed us to bring together the worlds of surfing and wellness in a unique way.
• "We are excited to welcome Youtheory for another year at the US Open," said Cherie Cohen, WSL Chief Revenue Officer.
• WSL fans were introduced to the Youtheory brand through displays and signage at the Huntington Beach Challenger Series event.

• in nine markets across the United States and Baja California Sur,
  LOS ANGELES, Aug. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global developer Aventuur announces its plans for a programmatic rollout of mixed-use surf, leisure and wellbeing destinations across North America.
• Aventuur's rollout has the potential to create a real estate portfolio exceeding US$1 billion, with each of the company's destinations requiring US$50-100 million in development capital.
• To support its North American rollout, Aventuur has successfully raised US$12 million in funding from a range of high-net-worth individuals, family offices and private investment firms.
• To learn more about Aventuur, and to make enquiries regarding the company's North American destinations, please visit www.aventuur.com .

• So women’s football in England looks to be strong and in safe hands.
• And at first glance its domestic top tier, the Women’s Super League (WSL), certainly looks healthy.
• League match attendance records have been broken recently, as they have for the women’s FA Cup, and Champions League tournaments.
• The increase in coverage has continued at pace, with a ground breaking broadcast deal with the BBC and Sky worth £8 million a season.

• The number of female referees has increased by 21%, and female coaches have risen by a whopping 75%.
• In Spain, Barcelona are setting the standard for world record attendances, with 91,648 fans watching their Women’s Champions League game against Wolfsburg in April 2022.
• Italy, with two female coaches among ten top-division posts, and Germany, with just one of 12, fare even worse.
• So, why is there such a dearth of female coaches in women’s football?

Women need women for inspiration

• Many would argue there’s a need for female coaches at the top levels of women’s football to act as an inspiration for young, aspiring female coaches (and players too, of course).
• However, when female coaches act in ways that are inconsistent with gender stereotypes – meaning assertive and decisive – they’re considered unfeminine.
• The second element relates to the high competence threshold – women coaches in elite sport face higher expected standards but lower pay than male coaches.
• And the final element identifies how female coaches can be perceived as competent or likeable, but rarely both.

A bright future?

• At the elite level, for the first time we now have a generation of players who are full-time professionals, just like their male counterparts.
• So what does the future hold for elite female coaches?
• Some of the current crop of elite female players will naturally be expected to move into coaching when their playing careers come to an end.
• This may take time, but at least progress is being made on various fronts for the girls and young women coming through.