The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) announces a strategic collaboration to integrate the Coaching HER® educational courses into WFDF Academy
UKU Nationals 2025, Carl Mardell, @ultimatepaparazzo
The World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) announced a strategic collaboration to integrate the Coaching HER® educational courses into WFDF Academy. Developed by the University of Minnesota’s Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport, in partnership with Nike, Coaching HER® is a set of free, research-based microlearning courses designed to equip coaches with the knowledge and tools to better support and retain female athletes in sport.
This new offering underscores WFDF’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and is a vital step in creating more inclusive and supportive environments across the global Flying Disc community.
“The WFDF Academy is dedicated to raising standards globally, not just in technical skill, but in creating positive, empowering sport culture,” said Robert ‘Nob’ Rauch, WFDF President. “Integrating Coaching HER®’s evidence-informed courses directly addresses a critical need in our community—helping our coaches understand the unique developmental needs of girls and women. This collaboration is a key part of our strategy to ensure Flying Disc remains a sport for life and welcoming for all athletes.”
Alicia Pelton, Program Director of Coaching HER®, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with WFDF and see this platform adopted by the Flying Disc community. Coaching HER® is all about helping coaches meet girls where they are so they can feel confident, competent, and connected. By providing actionable, research-backed tools, WFDF is not just helping girls stay in the game; they are developing stronger coaches and more equitable teams across the board.”
Coaching HER® bridges the athlete dropout gap with its evidence-informed courses, now accessible through the WFDF Academy. The courses offers practical, research-backed strategies for coaches across all levels of Flying Disc sports:
Core Modules
These modules are designed to establish the core skills for creating positive and empowering environments:
Developing Girls in Sport: Explore the powerful benefits of sport for girls—from confidence and leadership to lifelong well-being.
Challenging Gender Stereotypes: Learn how gender stereotypes impact girls’ participation and what you can do to recognize, challenge, and move beyond them.
Coaching Girls: Explore common perceptions about working with girls and gain practical strategies to coach them more effectively.
Empowering Girls’ Engagement: Discover how to meaningfully engage and empower girls by identifying and addressing common barriers.
Recognizing Girls’ Identities: Explore how key aspects of girls’ identities (race, gender expression, body image, etc.) shape their sport experiences.
Supporting Girls’ Needs: Introduce the three core psychological needs (care, competence, and choice) and how meeting them enhances motivation and long-term participation.
Menstrual Health Modules
These critical modules focus on an often-overlooked aspect of athletic support and performance:
Understanding the Complete Menstrual Cycle: Covers the basic elements of the cycle, its impacts on athletes, and strategies to help athletes manage their cycles safely.
Tackling Menstrual Taboos and Creating Period-Friendly Environments: Explores the harms caused by menstrual stigma and offers coaching strategies to support athletes through every phase of their cycle.
This collaboration reflects WFDF’s broader commitment to equity, leadership development, and long-term participation for all athletes worldwide.
To access the Coaching HER® courses and other resources, visit the WFDF Academy at academy.wfdf.sport.
