Kathryn Smith A Pioneer

Each and every season we hear about newly discovered things that can help the sport and as we continue to move forward, sport is no longer related to gender equality.

The Canadian National Women’s Soccer Team is coached by a man and a minor hockey team in North Delta is coached by a young women.

So it’s no longer restricted to seeing women coaching women’s sports and men coaching men’s sports as we have seen back in the day’s of yesteryear.

The logic from those in the sporting world is if you are capable to be placed in a specific role, regardless of what your gender might happen to be.

We see NFL games where they now have a female official, Sarah Thomas who at the young age of 41 made huge strides

First Female Official in NFL

not only dealing in a sport that has been predominately “owned” by men as officials, but other areas of the game as well.

Jen Welter walked from the sideline and shook hands with the line judge for the night’s game between the Chiefs the Cardinals and this was not a meeting to discuss laundry or kids, but more like a barrier-breaker.

Kathryn Smith is the first female assistant coach for the Bills as the Quality Control-Special Teams coach, making history in a man’s world.

But Smith believes performing well in her new role will do the most for women in a male-dominated business.

This isn’t here first rodeo as she has spent the  past 14 seasons in the NFL, as well as has experience in college scouting as well as player personnel.

Her last two seasons she worked directly with Rex Ryan the Bills head coach and first in New York and then on to Buffalo.

She has often seen her job responsibilities channeling more toward the coaching side of the organization then following the close of the 2015 season was when Ryan offered her the full-time coaching position of Quality Control-Special Teams.

She mentions “I was surprised at first, but I also know Rex really puts a lot of faith in his staff and his people, so from that standpoint it made sense knowing I’ve worked with Rex directly and indirectly for a number of years, so he knows my work ethic and what I’ve done in the past, but it was a bit surprising that he came to me with this.”

Not just a coach in the NFL, but also know as a pioneer, so if you don’t think there will be added pressure to succeed, think again.

Buffalo’s newest assistant coach completely grasps the magnitude of her hiring in a male-dominated business, Smith views her promotion as a stepping stone toward increased opportunities for women in her profession.

It goes without saying that sees herself more as a spoke in a wheel rolling toward progress knowing there are far more women higher up the organizational ladder in the NFL than her.

Having a Daughter play minor hockey in North Delta and going through the growing process at that time, when women were meant to stay home and not play sport, we at Sportswave wish her all the best in her new position.

Let’s hope she get’s the respect from the players, who at times are challenged and have a history of domestic violence and abuse!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/buffalo-bills-nfl-first-woman-coach_us_56a03db8e4b0d8cc1098bfe7