2026 WOMEN COACHES IN GOVERNANCE

The Women in Governance program is geared towards identifying, educating, supporting and mentoring female coaches who wish to be more involved in organizational governance.

 

Mission statement: Uniting and Empowering Women Swim Coaches

 

Do you know a passionate coach in your LSC who is interested in furthering her coaching career by expanding into governance? Nominate her to participate in the 9-week fellowship program below!

 

This hybrid professional development opportunity is geared towards women swim coaches across the country who have little to no governance experience. There are eight virtual Zoom meetings and one in-person session. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about governance in our sport at both the local and national levels.

 

The in-person session will be held at the USA Swimming Annual Summit in Denver, Colo. September 23-27, 2026. LSC’s are asked to cover the in-person program registration fee ($75), travel and lodging expenses for attendees in their LSC. Participants should plan to arrive Wednesday, September 23 before our 2 p.m. MT program start time and stay through the conclusion of programming on Saturday, September 26, 2025.

 

The program consists of approximately 59 individual members, with priority given to LSC nominated individuals first. Self-nominations will fill any additional empty spots.

 

Applications open Thursday, March 19, 2026.  Please complete the entire nomination application before Wednesday, May 20, 2026, to be considered.

Important Information

General Information

Program Overview: This program is a 9-week course that includes 8 online educational courses and an in person professional development opportunity at the USA Swimming Annual Summit held in Denver, Colo. September 23-27, 2025.

 

Program Schedule:

  • September 8 - 12:00 pm ET
  • September 15 - 12:00 pm ET
  • September 22 - No Zoom. In Person at USA Swimming Annual Summit in Denver, Colo.
  • September 29 - 12:00 pm ET
  • October 6 - 12:00 pm ET
  • October 13 - 12:00 pm ET
  • October 20 - 12:00 pm ET
  • October 27 - 12:00 pm ET
  • November 3 - 12:00 pm ET
What are the topics?

All courses will be conducted virtually through Zoom and will run 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. ET: 

  • Why We Need You in Governance
  • How to Take Ownership of Being the Only Female in the Room
  • Career Growth and Development
  • Learning from Female Officials
  • Business 101
  • Female Head Coaches
  • LSC Governance and Structure
  • USA Swimming Committees and Working Groups
  • Career Reflections
  • Course Wrap-Up and What's Next
Who is invited?

Preferred nominee criteria include: 

  • USA Swimming women coach member in good standing, with minimum five years coaching experience.
  • Less than one year of governance experience and interest in getting involved.
Cost

This program requires a $75 registration fee for the in person event in Denver, CO.

 

LSC's are asked to incur the registration fee, travel and lodging expense for those attending the in-person portion of this event.

 

Self-Nominees are asked to incur their own registration fee, travel and lodging expense when attending the in-person portion of this event.