Held in online for the first time!

The 6th “WCA 2020” has been decided to be held online in consideration of the impact of COVID-19. It was our first and new challenge, but thanks to online, leaders and coaches who couldn’t attend because of “difficult to stay over”, “can’t go far”, “kids are small” could gather with their passion.

Also, graduates who have studied at the past five academies have watched this academy through their dedicated line from all over the country in search of further learning, stimulation, and information.

The annual ice-breaking time has a different taste with the first use of the Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport’s handmade “YES/NO card” and the “whiteboard” with the WCA logo on so that the tension of the participants can be relaxed and the actual distance can be shortened as well as the mind. Warmed up participants’ minds and bodies to prepare for the lecture.

Learn the transition of women’s sports and
create a new sports culture!

First, Dr. Etsuko Ogasawara explained the “Brighton Declaration” (decided at the 1st World Conference on Women and Sport, 1994) and the “Brighton + Helsinki 2014 Declaration” (decided at the 6th IWG World Conference, 2014). She said that it is the efforts of the female (and male) leaders around the world to achieve the ultimate goal for the development of women’s sports that are the “Movement for Women in Sport in the world”.

Also, the episode of courageous domestic and foreign ancestors that have moved the history of women in sport, motivated participants to learn the first session.

Seeking excellence and constantly improve
Your team reflect your energy

Ms. Marlene Bjornsrud first talked about the importance of self-management for your energy as a professional coach. Coaches may not only teach skills and tactics, but may also impact on athletes’ lives, and explained the management ability and leadership ability needed to do so.

In response to Ms. Marlene’s question “Why are you coaching?”, the participants asked themselves and thought about the image of the coach they were aiming for. The warm and encompassing atmosphere Ms. Marlene creates and her positive content of the lecture gave the participants a sense of security and it became a peaceful and positive one.

Learn [FAT (Female Athlete Triad)], and
think the role of a coach from the conditioning

Based on research data, the three obstacles that female athletes are likely to fall into, “Female Athlete Triad (FAT)”,was explained in detail using the latest data and charts, also the latest information on the prevention and treatment of FAT was shared.

Also, Dr. Natsue Koikawa talked about her experiences and the impact she got from” WCA at the U.S.A. ” and introduced the differences of the role of coaches from the aspect of conditioning (condition management) between Japan and the U.S.A. She calls on the participants, “If you have anything you don’t know, please do not hold them alone, and use the connection you gain at this academy”.

Cooperation between training plan and nutrition support
Manage performance with nutrition

Dr. Shihoko Suzuki gave an impassioned speech about the role of a certified sports dietitian and the importance of cooperation between training plan and nutrition support to improve the performance of athletes from concrete and practical point of view.

Dr. Suzuki also explained the concept of nutrient intake suitable for junior and top athletes with easy-to-understand and occasional humor.

The power of every single woman will bear the future
of the field of sports.

Dr. Kaori Yamaguchi, an executive board member of the Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and a chair of the JOC Women and Sports Commission, told her unique information such as the needs for female leaders/officers and the advancement of women in the Japanese field of sports.

Also, she emphasized on the importance of having a firm opinion from a female perspective and putting the thoughts into words to develop the field of sports, then told participants, “Take a position, educate a woman who will follow you, and take over your baton”. She concluded her exciting lecture by saying that they needed to become role models to do so.

Realize your emotion and know the way of thinking
To face your own heart

Ms. Miyako Tanaka-Oulevey stated by introducing her experiences that various emotional (mind) movements at the time of her athlete and coach eras she dealt with.

Next, she explained there are various types of emotions and all of them are correct and precious. She also told participants that to deny your emotion leads to deny yourself. She also said that it is important that first you should realize your own emotion and stress, and know the way you think behind it, then organize your mind. Participants empathized greatly and realized the importance of affirming themselves.

How to change your action
for athletes with different styles from you

To utilize what we learned in the CoachDISC Program at the sports field, exercised using various cases under the initiative of Ms. Maki Moriya. Each group was in charge of cases assuming athletes with different characteristics (styles) and actively discussed how to approach them concretely.

The presentation was practical, just like in the field, with objective opinions from other groups on how to change the action of the coach according to the athletes’ style. By putting it into practice immediately right after learning the theory, it seemed the participants’ understanding and acquisition were deepening.

Draw a vision and involve people
Learn the way of thinking to be active in the field

Ms. Lisa O’Keefe, who has held numerous sports participation campaigns in England in the position of leader, gave a lecture on the concept of “leadership” and “collaboration”.

Based on the cases during the campaigns, she explained the causes of failure and the keys to success in an easy-to-understand manner from the perspective of leadership and collaboration. Participants were overwhelmed by the high practical ability and power of Ms. Lisa, who leads the team powerfully in various aspects.

Learn and think about diversity
What we need to know

Dr. Rieko Yamaguchi introduced various gender-related issues that occurred in the sports field, also mentioned the topics that are still being discussed in the field of athletes such as “adverse effects of high levels of specific hormones” and “transgender”.

Ms. Aya Noguchi who is involved in activities with “Pride House Tokyo” and LGBT information and awareness projects for “Tokyo 2020” with diversity as its theme was joined the lecture. She explained how to understand sexual minorities and to deal with them, as a leader or coach. Participants spent the time to think a lot from their respective positions.

Warm message from seniors
For women leaders in the future

Panelists:
Dr. Natsue Koikawa, Deputy Director, Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport
Ms. Maki Tsukada, Instructor, Tokai University School of Physical Education Department of Judo and Kendo
Ms. Mikiko Hagiwara, Director, WJBL (Women's Japan Basketball League Organization)
Ms. Tamako Kihara, Representative, Wake Swimming Club

Coordinator:
Dr. Etsuko Ogasawara, Executive Director, Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport

Continuing from last year, this year we welcomed the graduates of this academy who received the “Best Leader Coach Award” as panelists, and discussions were held with Japanese panelists only.

We welcomed 4 panelists this time; Ms. Maki Tsukada, the first-year WCA graduate, a gold medalist of the Athens Olympics Judo Women’s 78 kg-over categories, and an instructor at Tokai University; Ms. Mikiko Hagiwara, the third-year WCA graduate, was the first Japanese WNBA player to play an active role, and is currently coaching as the head coach of the Women’s Basketball Under Category Japan National Team; Ms. Tamako Kihara, the fifth-year WCA graduate, the former Japanese record holder for freestyle swimming (1,500m), representative of Wake Swimming Club in Okayama prefecture,

Based on 3 days of learning at the academy
What should I do?

In this final lecture, “Networking”, participants learned about the decision-making document called the “Karuizawa Declaration” created at the 1st "WCA” in 2015. Participants reconsidered their “future goals and missions” based on these 3 days of learning at the academy and shared them with their colleagues.

Ms. Miyuki Kobayashi told participants that “This academy is a place where you can go home to” and concludes “this networking is your treasure. Let’s utilize it and do your best together”, surrounded by a feeling of accomplishment.

Participant excitement transmitted from the screen
Step by step towards your goal

At the graduation ceremony, the “Best Leader Coach Award” voted on by the participants was awarded. It was presented to Aya Nakajima with the memorial shield award by Mikiko Hagiwara (from the 3rd WCA) who earned the same award in 2017.

The lecturers overseas also participated in the graduation ceremony nevertheless they here time differences and conveyed heartwarming words to the participants. Then the scene of awarding of certificate of completion. We couldn’t hand it over or hug each other as usual, but when each name of participants was called up, they all responded with a different look from the first day and showed their various pose with glittering eyes on the screen.

The organizer, Dr. Ogasawara, Executive Director of the Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport, gave hot ale to the participants who will lead the sports field in the future, “If you have strong feelings, people will move. It is important to convey your “heart”!”, the WCA 2020 held in online for the first time ended.

This academy is a new style to look forward to in the future, and as the Japanese Center for Research on Women in Sport, it has become an academy that has explored many possibilities and repeated the challenges from the preparation to the day of the academy.