Women Coaches Outnumber Men in Israel's Top Basketball League

For the first time in the history of Israeli women's basketball, female coaches will form the majority on the sidelines of the top league, the Women's Premier League. Six of the ten teams will be led by women coaches in the upcoming season, while only four will be coached by men. This historic milestone sees coaches Shira Elyashiv (Maccabi Ashdod), Daniela Reuven (Maccabi Haifa), Naomi Kolodny (Maccabi Ramat Gan), Lubica Darliach (Hapoel Lev Jerusalem), Katia Abramson (Maccabi Karmiel), and Tal Dwik (Bnei Yehuda) taking charge.

Despite the landmark achievement, the coaches themselves emphasize that the focus should be on basketball, not gender. "It shouldn't just be a story about women or gender. A coach should get an opportunity based on their professional ability, their path, and their personality structure," stated Elyashiv. Kolodny added that this is a natural progression, not a radical change, and stressed the importance of not regressing. Reuven echoed this sentiment, asserting that the best coach, regardless of gender, should be on the sidelines.

Darliach, the Serbian coach of Hapoel Lev Jerusalem, highlighted that coaching is about hard work and proving one's worth. She expressed hope that more doors will open for coaches to be judged solely on their performance. Elyashiv acknowledged that while she doesn't want her career defined solely by her gender, there were times she had to work harder to be recognized for her coaching abilities rather than her sex.

Abramson noted the significance of more women leading teams as a sign of change but aims for a future where it's not unusual to see a woman coaching. Dwik believes this trend will encourage younger female coaches to aspire to the top league, having herself progressed through the ranks. The coaches also discussed the impact on the next generation, with Elyashiv emphasizing the power of role models for young girls, reinforcing the belief that anything is possible.

While most coaches prefer to be judged on merit, some acknowledge that women still face a higher bar. Kolodny stated that women often need to prove themselves more than men, though she sees improvement. Elyashiv agreed, recounting instances where she had to work exceptionally hard to be seen as a coach first. However, Abramson, Reuven, Darliach, and Dwik reported not personally experiencing a situation where they felt they had to prove themselves more due to their gender. Ultimately, the coaches aspire to a future where a coach's gender is irrelevant, and the most qualified person gets the job, whether male or female.