PRESS RELEASE
October 10, 2025
Promoting gender equality and inclusion in coaching: An overview of the SheCOACH online workshop
The Greek Basketball Coaches Association and the non-profit organization “Symplexis” organized a free online workshop on Monday, October 6, 2025, on the topic of “Coaching and Sports Education in Greece”, as part of the European project SheCOACH: Gender Equality in Coaching.
The SheCOACH project, which is funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Sport program, is being implemented in Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Spain from early 2024 until the end of 2026. The initiative aims to promote gender equality in coaching and sports in general, by strengthening the participation of women in training, coaching, and leadership roles, particularly in basketball.
During the workshop, which was attended by 70 people from the fields of sport, education, and civil society, the SheCOACH Guidance & Recommendations Framework was presented, among other things. This is a practical tool, available both in document form and as an online course, designed to support coaching education providers, coaches, and sports organizations in systematically integrating gender equality into their structures, programs, and daily practices, promoting an environment where everyone has equal opportunities for participation, development, and leadership.
Equality in coaching is not just about fair access to professional opportunities for women and men. It is primarily about recognizing diversity as a strength and creating an environment that encourages authenticity, collaboration, and participation for all, regardless of gender, age, or background. Inclusion in coaching contributes to the creation of a more equitable, effective, and humane sports culture, where diversity is a source of innovation and development—both for athletes and coaches.
The event hosted an exceptional group of speakers, who highlighted critical aspects of the topic through their presentations and experiences:
– Maria Moragianni, General Manager of ReGeneration, Career Strategy Leader, and Innovative Wine Educator: focused on professional development and career planning, emphasizing that equal access to education and guidance is a prerequisite for both the development of young professionals and the creation of a more inclusive work environment.
– Dr. Gerasimos Kouvaras, Teaching Fellow at ALBA Graduate Business School, Corporate Engagement Strategist at the World Human Forum, and Internal & Social Transformation Consultant: highlighted the importance of internal empowerment as a driving force for social change. Through his own approach, he emphasized that real change starts with our personal attitude—by becoming aware of our biases and limitations—leading to the creation of a more just, conscious, and humane leadership system.
– Yannis Vidras, Revenue Growth Manager at Coca-Cola HBC, TEDx Speaker, Mindset Coach, and Ironman Athlete, founder of CravingNoBorders, and active supporter of information and awareness about childhood diabetes: spoke about the growth mindset, resilience, and the power of personal change, inspiring participants to see challenges as opportunities for learning and growth.
The discussion that followed focused on the importance of inclusion in the workplace and in sports. Creating an environment where every voice is heard and every person feels they belong not only strengthens community but also enhances people’s performance, innovation, and mental well-being. A change in mindset towards challenges was recognized as a key factor for progress, with participants emphasizing that leadership and coaching now require emotional intelligence, adaptability, and an open mind. Through fruitful dialogue and the exchange of ideas, it became clear that gender equality, inclusion, and a change in mindset are not just social demands, but development tools that can fundamentally transform sport and society.
The event ended on a very positive note, with participants expressing interest in participating in the upcoming project activities, with the aim of utilizing the SheCOACH Guidance Framework to create a more equitable, equal, and inclusive sports environment, where every coach can contribute, inspire, and lead with respect and empathy.
For more information about the SheCOACH initiative, visit the website https://shecoach.eu and follow the project’s social media accounts: Facebook & Instagram.
