VICKY HUYTON
“I want my journey to show that success isn’t just about winning—it’s about integrity, self-awareness, and making decisions that truly benefit the people we coach and work with.”
Meet Vicky, the founder of the Female Coaching Network. She has over 25 yrs experience working with performance coaches and athletes, and her passion lies in supporting female coaches reach their potential whilst creating pathways within the current sporting system for talented coaches.
“At just 15, I became a coach, and a career in sports was the only path I ever considered. Coming from my generation, opportunities for women in sports were limited, so I spent the first 10 to 15 years exploring every role possible. That experience gave me invaluable insight into how the sports industry operates.“
"I read, watch, study, reflect, play, and review sports from every angle—and I always have. I’ve been obsessed with sport ever since watching my first Olympic Games and being a successful skier as a young girl. All I ever wanted was to be part of sport in some way.
I do remember, however, reading Pat Summitt’s book back in 2014 and being so blown away by her story. She inspired me to launch the Female Coaching Network (FCN) that same year. Sadly, I never had the chance to speak with her before she died, but I will always thank her for helping me make the final decision to move forward with the FCN.”
BARRIERS TO WOMEN IN COACHING
“The way the sports system, and particularly the coaching system has been unintentionally evolved creates barriers and a lack of pathways for female coaches. How to dismantle it - we need to fix the system, not the women!
We need to treat coaches better, and we need to treat female coaches the same we treat male coaches. We need more books written by female coaches, more docuseries, more sponsors and more backing from team owners and athletes. We need women to be recognised as coaches!”
“My work is mainly based on coaching, and through the work of the Female Coaching Network, we are aware of the many female coaches around the world who make a big impact in all they do. To write a long (but not exhausted) list of female coaches who have made an impact in sport; Pat Summitt, Lori Locust, Sarina Wiegman, Ans Botha, Emma Hayes, Laura Turner-Alleyne, Emma Hayes, Jennifer King, Tara Vanderveer....the list goes on!”
VICKY’S MESSAGE FOR PEOPLE IN SPORT
“I thought about this question for a long time, and I kept coming back to the answer 'do the right thing'. Sport and the sports industry sit in their own bubble, with their own rules, and sometimes its own ethics and standards. This can warp our perception of what's right and wrong within that bubble.
Sport means everything to me. It’s given me some incredible experiences, I've met life long friends (I even met my partner through sport), and I've achieved things I never thought possible. But sometimes, we need to step outside the bubble and take stock of reality.
Ultimately, I want my journey to show that success isn’t just about winning—it’s about integrity, self-awareness, and making decisions that truly benefit the people we coach and work with. If I can leave behind one message, it’s that doing the right thing, even when it’s hard, is what really defines us in the long run.”
“Sport has the power to change lives, but only if we lead with honesty, purpose, and a commitment to something bigger than just the game.
Read, network, believe in yourself, don't take no for an answer, stand up for what's right, follow your own path, work hard, be intentional, and hold on to trust."
