Mickey Ferri
- Feb 24, 2020
- 3 min read

Introducing the Women’s Coaching Coalition (WCC) San Diego

By Carol Ann Chambers, founder of the WCC San Diego and Head Cross Country and Track & Field Coach, San Diego Jewish Academy.

The Women’s Coaching Coalition (WCC) San Diego is an empowerment platform for female track and field, cross country and running coaches and administrators that provides advice, encouragement, information on coaching education resources, mentorship, and the support needed to progress and succeed in a highly-competitive world.

We are looking for incredible female coaches to join this effort – we are looking for you!

If you are interested in joining the Women’s Coaching Coalition (WCC) San Diego, please click here to fill out the Google form so we can reach out to you today to start this incredible journey together…because we are definitely, stronger together.

Coach Carol Ann Chambers' Journey

With the Florida sun shining brightly on my back, I stepped off the airport shuttle, put one foot in front of the other, took a long, deep breath, and made my way into the 2019 USATF 3/IAAF 5/World Athletics Academy.

With a mix of excitement and anticipation for the journey I was about to embark on, I walked through the doors of the IMG Academy and was greeted with a smile and a hug that immediately put me at ease, and made me feel like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

It was Terry Crawford, the Former Director of Coaching for USA Track & Field, and my Level 1 Instructor for the start of my incredible personal journey through the USA Track & Field Coaching Education Program.

“You’re here!” Terry exclaimed. “Wow, Level 3! That’s fantastic,” she said.

“It all started with that awesome grant that USATF awarded me and other women coaches in San Diego a couple of years ago,” I told her, “sponsoring our participation in the Level 1 Coaching Education Program.

And your leadership and wisdom throughout the course inspired me and made me want to learn more, and to become the best and most knowledgeable coach I possibly can be for the athletes I work with. I have definitely grown 1000% as a coach thanks to this program.”

Terry gave me another smile as I headed on my way. I knew that this was going to be a very good week ahead.

And a good week it was as I had the rare opportunity to work with and learn from some of the best and most knowledgeable Olympic and World-Class Coaches, Athletes, Leaders, and Scientific Sport Pioneers. I also had the privilege of working alongside 24 amazing coach colleagues on the World Endurance Team, who came from across the United States, and from countries across the world. Throughout the week, we discovered together just who we are as leaders, and also who we could become. All this while absorbing knowledge and wisdom that we would take with us forever, and developing friendships and camaraderie that will definitely last a lifetime.

As the amazing week came to a close, I reflected on my entire life coaching journey and experience up to this point. In doing so, I reflected on the fact that I would not be who I am today as a person and as a coach, without the incredible leaders, mentors, teachers, colleagues, and friends – many of whom are strong women - who supported me and shared with me their knowledge, wisdom, and strength along the way.

I also reflected on how important and empowering colleague support is to both the new and seasoned coach. I reflected on the many doors that the USATF Coaching Education Program has opened for me in my life. I reflected on the important role and voice that women have, and could have more of, in the track and field and cross country coaching world.