The Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) is pleased to announce the inaugural cohort for the new IWLCA Spark program, a professional development initiative designed to support collegiate coaches with fewer than four years of head coaching experience.  Griffins head coach Dina Cifelli is part of the cohort for the Spark program.  

Spark was designed to help novice head coaches strengthen their leadership identity and effectiveness, align their coaching philosophies with institutional expectations, shape team cultures that support performance, well-being, and belonging, and build a community of practice with fellow coaches navigating the head coaching role.

Through a combination of live learning sessions, online courses, mentoring conversations, and an in-person workshop, participants will develop the leadership capabilities needed to thrive in today's collegiate coaching environment while building a network of peers committed to continued learning, growth, and impact.

The 2026-27 IWLCA Spark Program will run from August 2026 through January 2027 and will feature an in-person leadership experience during the 2026 IWLCA Convention, at the Island Grand at Tradewinds Resort in St. Pete Beach, Florida in November. Developed in partnership with  e.t.c. coaching consultants , Spark sessions will be facilitated by Sarah McQuade and Julie Muller.

In addition to the program's educational components, Spark will foster a supportive community of practice where participants can collaborate with peers, share experiences and insights, and support one another's professional development throughout the program and beyond.

The IWLCA is proud to invest in the collegiate coaches participating in the Spark program and looks forward to supporting the inaugural cohort throughout their professional development journey.