By Tramaine Shaw
Tramaine Shaw is the Irwin Cohen Endowed Track & Field Head Coach at Northeastern University. A Northeastern alumna, she is a member of Northeastern’s Athletic Hall of Fame. As a coach, she has won 12 CAA Conference Championships, has been awarded CAA Coach of the Year 12 times, and was USTFCCCA NCAA Division 1 Women’s Indoor Track & Field Northeast Region Coach of the Year in 2024. She has coached six NCAA All-Americans and a host of NCAA qualifiers, conference champions, and conference and school record holders. She holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, with a specialization in Sport and Social Change. She is the former co-president of Women’s Running Coaches Collective, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women coaches to lead, thrive, and redefine the future of coaching.
Early in my coaching career, it was difficult to consider that coaching female athletes may need to be approached differently than coaching male athletes. As a former female athlete, accepting that men and women should be coached differently once felt like placing women in a monolithic box of stereotypes—something we constantly fight against. Far too often, “different” is interpreted as “less than.”
When I had the opportunity to become head coach at my alma mater, I was incredibly excited to return our women’s program to its former glory. However, that proved much harder than I initially anticipated. After a few seasons of falling short, I came to a humbling realization: two things can be true at once.
While not all the women in my program were similar, they did require different support systems, communication, and motivation styles that weren’t necessarily the same as those of the male athletes I coached. If we were going to succeed, I would have to make intentional adjustments.
Communication
Communication is vital in any program, but I noticed the reasons it mattered varied between my men’s and women’s teams. Our women’s program placed a higher value on transparency and collaboration—especially regarding workouts, competitions, and roster management. Many of my female athletes sought more opportunities to have their voices heard and their input valued. Small adjustments made a big difference, such as:
• Providing an A and B workout option and allowing the team to choose
• Giving them input on scheduling team meetings
• Offering autonomy over pre-conference team events
Additionally, I observed that female athletes often received feedback differently than did their male counterparts. Developing trust and a connection off the track became a critical part of creating an environment in which tough feedback could be delivered constructively. I implemented “open hours” for casual check-ins and regular one-on-one meetings, and took a genuine interest in the athletes’ families, academics, and hobbies.
I’ve also learned that many female athletes may internalize criticism. Being specific—not just about the critique, but also the actionable next step—helps ensure feedback isn’t interpreted as a personal attack or a reflection of bias.
Physiological Considerations
The best training considers the individual, not just her gender—but there are some general physiological differences that matter. Female athletes often differ from males in muscle mass, muscle fiber composition, and hormonal profiles. Interestingly, many of my top female athletes may train harder for longer later in the competitive season with positiv
Another important consideration is the menstrual cycle and the risk of the Female Athlete Triad/RED-S (disordered eating, reduced energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone density). Coaches and support staff must be educated on the physical and behavioral signs associated with these issues. We’ve worked hard to create an environment in which athletes feel safe, supported, and empowered in relation to their health and bodies. At the start of each season, we bring in experts to educate our athletes on nutrition and proper fueling. We focus on how athletes feel rather than on numbers on the scale, and we emphasize health, performance, and longevity over appearance.
Confidence and Motivation
Building confidence and motivation in female athletes also requires a nuanced approach.
While many of my male athletes seem to bond instantly, my women’s team tends to build deep trust over time—often through shared experiences and mutual support in navigating both athletic and personal challenges. That’s why we intentionally create opportunities for connection through team-building activities rooted in personal development, group problem-solving, and trust-building. We also focus heavily on inclusive leadership development. Peer mentorship and internal leadership within the team are just as vital as guidance from coaches. Nicole LaVoi, Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport, put it best: “Women coaches matter for a variety of reasons. Research shows that same-sex role models positively influence self-perceptions. They challenge stereotypes about gender and leadership and offer diverse perspectives, insight, and advice to their athletes” [1].
From my experience, female coaches have a unique and powerful impact on female athletes, especially when it comes to feedback. I’ve found that pairing goal setting with regular encouragement is especially effective. Focusing on effort, achievable progress, and positive reinforcement is invaluable. We also emphasize mental performance tools, such as positive self-talk and visualization. One tradition I love with our women’s team is choosing a team word or phrase before each championship. It becomes a mantra—something positive and unifying that reminds each athlete she’s not alone and that we—athletes and coaches—are in this together.
References
1. www.athleteassessments.com/why-women-coaches-matter
