Rising Tides, A New Era in Women’s Sports! Lewis Page & Kennedi Kiarash

In this episode of the Coach’s IDEA Podcast, host Marvin Okello welcomes Lewis Page and Kennedi Kiarash, the head coach and assistant coach of the Halifax Tides, respectively. 

The conversation dives into several important topics about coaching and women’s sports, touching on their personal coaching journeys, mentors, and favorite moments as athletes. The coaches share their thoughts on how the landscape for female coaches and athletes has evolved in Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Canada, particularly in light of recent discussions about the importance of supporting female athletes financially to ensure they can focus on their sport without needing additional income sources. The Tides, they discuss, provide their players with fair salaries, which has become a notable point of conversation in women’s sports.

Further, they discuss the importance of EDIA (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) both personally and within the broader coaching community. Kennedi provides insight into how coaches in 2025 can better support an inclusive and diverse environment for their athletes, especially women.

The coaches also reflect on the impact of Canadian soccer stars like Kara Lang and Christine Sinclair, noting the increasing prominence of Canadian female athletes like Jordan Huitema and Kadeisha Buchanan in international leagues, and how this will shape the future of women's soccer.

Lastly, they share memorable sports moments as fans and offer advice for coaches working with female athletes, rounding out a dynamic and inspiring conversation about the evolution of women in sports, coaching, and the importance of mentorship and support.