IWLCA Coaching Symposium 2026: Creating A Coaching Philosophy
- Sarah McQuade
- Apr 22
- 3 min read
Helping New and Aspiring Coaches Explore What Matters Most
At this year’s IWLCA Coaching Symposium, we had the privilege of delivering a professional development experience focused on one of the most important foundations of coaching: philosophy and values.
Too often, coaching development begins with drills, tactics, and technical knowledge. While those areas matter, sustainable coaching starts somewhere deeper — with clarity about why you coach, what you believe, and how those beliefs shape the environment you create for others.
That was the heart of this year’s symposium session.
More Than a One-Off Workshop
Rather than designing a single webinar, this year’s experience was intentionally built as a blended learning journey.
The live symposium webinar introduced key ideas around coaching philosophy, values, behaviours, and identity. Coaches were invited to reflect, discuss, and begin shaping their own philosophy statements through interactive tasks and conversations.
Now, that learning continues through the accompanying online course hosted on our online learning platform with MiMentor, where participants can deepen their thinking and translate their philosophy into everyday coaching practice.
The online course help coaches:
Clarify their personal “why”
Identify the values that matter most to them
Align behaviours with beliefs
Build intentional coaching environments
Develop and refine a personal coaching philosophy statement
And importantly, participants can revisit these ideas in their own time, at their own pace.
Why This Work Matters
A coaching philosophy is not a slogan. It is not something copied from another coach or downloaded from the internet.
It becomes the compass that guides decisions, relationships, communication, and culture.
It influences how success is defined, how challenges are handled, and how athletes experience the environment around them.
When coaches know what they stand for, they lead with greater clarity, consistency, and authenticity.
“Why Do I Coach?”
During the symposium, coaches were asked this simple but powerful question. Their responses were thoughtful, heartfelt, and inspiring. Across the group, several themes emerged.
Giving Back
Many coaches spoke about wanting to give back to the sport and communities that had shaped their own lives.
“I coach because I want to give back to the community that made me who I am.”
Helping Others Grow
Others were motivated by the opportunity to support the growth, confidence, and success of future athletes.
“I love being able to help people grow through the game.”
Love of the Game
For many, coaching was rooted in a deep passion for lacrosse and a desire to share that joy with the next generation.
“I want to help others learn to love the game the way I do.”
Creating Belonging and Opportunity
Several responses highlighted the role coaching can play in creating safe, empowering, and inclusive spaces.
“I want to coach because I want to give women and girls confidence and opportunities.”
Feedback and Continued Growth
As part of this extended learning experience, participants are also eligible to receive individualised feedback on their coaching philosophy statements from e.t.c coaching consultants.
This added layer of support is designed to help coaches strengthen clarity, alignment, and authenticity as they continue to grow in their coaching practice.
Because coaching philosophy is never finished. It evolves through experience, reflection, challenge, and learning.
Looking Ahead
We are proud to continue partnering with the IWLCA in support of women coaches and their development.
The future of coaching is not only about what coaches know. It is about who they are, how they lead, and the environments they create for others to thrive in.
And if the reflections from this year’s symposium are anything to go by, that future is in very good hands.
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