Uganda’s Shilla Omuriwe and Iran’s Maedeh Borhani Esfahani complete 21 months programme as 31 coaches graduate from Cohort 4
Ugandan coach Shilla Omuriwe and Iran’s Maedeh Borhani Esfahani recently graduated from the Women in Sport High-performance (WISH) pathway programme designed to empower female coaches.
The pair were part of Cohort 4 of the WISH programme that saw 31 coaches from 25 countries and 15 International Federations graduate after successfully completing the 21-month course.
WISH is a mentorship and training programme jointly supported by Olympic Solidarity and a number of International Federations (IF). It aims to help female coaches, who have the potential and ambition, progress into high-performance/elite coaching roles at national, continental and international competitions, including major events such as World Championships and the Olympic Games.
Cohort 4 of the WISH programme from which 31 coaches from 25 countries and 15 International Federations graduated. (Photo credits: WISH PROGRAMME)
The programme aligns with the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC’s) long-term commitment to advancing gender equality and inclusion by promoting women’s leadership in sport.
The 21-month programme gave participants access to self-assessment and 360-degree feedback on leadership and sport-specific competencies, residential session for 5 days at the University of Hertfordshire, UK, 8 online leadership sessions, 8 leadership mentor sessions, 4 sport-specific mentor sessions led by their IFs, and engagement with the National Olympic Committees (NOCs).
Shannon Winzer, Head Coach of Volleyball Canada women’s team, was the sport-specific mentor for Omuriwe and Borhani.
Shannon Winzer (right), Head Coach of Volleyball Canada women’s team, was the sport-specific mentor for Shilla Omuriwe (left) and Maedeh Borhani Esfahani. (Photo credits: SHILLA OMURIWE)
Omuriwe, who will continue coaching in Uganda and wants to set up a female coaches’ network, said she has gotten invaluable experience and networks from the WISH Programme.
“The programme is a significant milestone in my career. I feel incredibly proud and grateful to have completed this transformative 21 months journey. I’ve been equipped with knowledge and leadership skills that have reshaped how I approach coaching.
“It has given me the courage to keep dreaming, being brave and resilient. The WISH programme has provided me with tools, mentorship, and networks required to excel in high-performance environments,” said Omuriwe.
The Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) women’s team head coach noted that the WISH programme has given her the belief that women can excel in male-dominated fields such as coaching in sports.
“It has also been a personal journey of growth. I feel more confident, braver and prepared to continue to contribute to volleyball here in Uganda and beyond. It has further strengthened my belief that we as female coaches and women in sports have an essential role to play in shaping elite sport. While the field might be still male-dominated, we’ve been equipped to continue to break barriers, inspire others and confidently take on leadership roles in our various sports.
“It was a very rigorous programme that required me to balance my responsibilities as a coach, wife and a mother. I had to spend an extended period away from my family. I’m grateful to my family, Uganda Volleyball Federation, Uganda National Olympic Committee, FIVB and Olympic Solidarity for their unwavering support that helped me to pursue this course to completion,” said Omuriwe, who is also a FIVB Instructor.
Iran’s Maedeh Borhani Esfahani at the University of Hertfordshire, UK as part of the WISH Programme. (Photo credits: WISH PROGRAMME)
On her part, Iran’s captain Borhani will continue playing professional volleyball for Sharjah Women Sports Club in the United Arab Emirates this season but is keen to transition into coaching from next season.
“The WISH programme is a highly respected and sought-after program within the sports coaching industry. Becoming a coach at high-level sports is a remarkable accomplishment and a great way to share my knowledge, passion, and expertise in the field.
“Graduating from this program will certainly help open doors for me, it’s a significant achievement that I have completed it. While challenges may still exist in this male-dominated field, my graduation from the WISH programme is a significant step towards overcoming these obstacles and achieving success as a high-level coach,” said Borhani.
Iran’s Maedeh Borhani Esfahani in action for Sharjah Women Sports Club in the United Arab Emirates Super League. (Photo credits: SHARJAH WOMEN SPORTS CLUB)
The guest speaker during the graduation ceremony was diving coach Jane Figueiredo (Zimbabwe/Portugal) who won the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coaches Lifetime Achievement Awards 2024.
Head of Entourage Unit at Olympic Solidarity Yassin Yousfi promised the graduates of his support in the next step of their careers pointing out that there were 10 WISH graduates in official NOC roles at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
Olympic Solidarity invested USD 1 million in four cohorts of the WISH Programme during the period 2020-2024, benefiting approximately 100 coaches. Moving forward, the Entourage Unit will work together with the WISH programme.
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