Where are the women coaches?
Women's volleyball has never been more visible. Female athletes are filling arenas, inspiring young girls and proving what women can achieve at the highest level.
But look at the benches.
Who is leading these teams? Who is making the decisions? And where are the women coaches?
In the 2025 Women's Volleyball Nations League, just one of the 18 head coaches was a woman: Bulgaria's Antonina Zetova.
Progress is happening, but the pathway from assistant coach to head coach, and from technical expertise to leadership, remains challenging.
We believe the next generation of women coaches deserves more than encouragement. They deserve opportunities, visibility, practical tools and a strong professional network.
That is why we created ChicCoaches.
Introducing ChicCoaches Cannes 2027
The Sideline Belongs to Her.
ChicCoaches is an international retreat designed exclusively for women in volleyball coaching, combining volleyball, leadership development, career growth and meaningful connections.
We believe in the strength of women and men working together, learning from each other and bringing their different perspectives and qualities to the game. ChicCoaches is not about competing with men, but about creating more opportunities for women to grow and lead alongside them.
Our ambition is simple: to help women become not only better coaches, but more confident leaders of their own careers.
The programme is built around four pillars:
Own the Court: Strengthen coaching leadership, decision-making and confidence.
Own the Room: Develop communication skills, executive presence and the ability to make your voice heard.
Own Your Career: Navigate negotiations, contracts and career opportunities.
Own Your Network: Build meaningful relationships with mentors, peers and future collaborators.
Through interactive workshops, on-court sessions and conversations with experienced professionals, participants will gain practical insights they can apply immediately.
Cannes, 23–27 May 2027
The inaugural ChicCoaches retreat will take place on the beautiful French Riviera, with a welcome evening on Sunday, 23 May, followed by three days of immersive programming from 24–26 May.
Unlike large conferences, ChicCoaches will bring together a limited number of participants, creating space for personal attention, real conversations and lasting relationships.
The working language will be English.
Different experiences. One shared ambition.
ChicCoaches welcomes women coaching at every level, from grassroots and youth development to universities, professional clubs and national teams.
The ChicCoaches Circle will connect three generations of coaches:
Mentors: Experienced coaches with more than 15 years in the profession.
Peers: Coaches with 5–15 years of experience.
Rising Coaches: Emerging professionals with up to 5 years of experience.
Everyone brings something to the table. Everyone has something to learn.
Cannes: Where volleyball heritage meets new opportunities
ChicCoaches is an initiative of Maison du Volley, led by former professional volleyball players and business partners Katerina Charlier and Elizaveta Bracht.
We are proud to launch the inaugural retreat in partnership with Cannes Volley, bringing together the heritage and expertise of Racing Club de Cannes and AS Cannes Volley-Ball.
We are particularly delighted to work alongside Victoria Ravva, a legendary figure in women's volleyball, and Amaury Delbart, the club's Managing Director.
Together, we hope to establish ChicCoaches as an annual meeting point for women shaping the future of volleyball coaching.
Your next chapter starts here
Pre-registration for ChicCoaches Cannes 2027 is now open.
We want to hear from women coaches about their ambitions, challenges and what they need most to progress in their careers.
Pre-registration takes approximately five minutes. Participation fees will be announced shortly, with pre-registered coaches receiving the information first.
Pre-register for ChicCoaches Cannes 2027
And if you know a woman coach who deserves to be part of this conversation, share this opportunity with her.
The Sideline Belongs to Her.
Because the future of women's volleyball should also be shaped by women — on the court, on the bench and wherever decisions are made.
