SailFem Program 2025
January 13 – April 30, Athens
SaiFem is a program on empowering and connecting women sailing coaches in Greece.
About SailFem
Sofia recognises the need for a tailored training program to equip female sailing coaches with the knowledge and skills to excel in a male-dominated field, and so created Sail Fem, a programme which helps address these obstacles through strategic planning, leadership development, and effective communication strategies. By fostering an inclusive environment and celebrating success stories, the program aims to pave the way for a more diverse and equitable future in sailing. Sofia is one of the recipients of the Anita White Fund Catalyst Grant, which enables women leaders in sport to advance the women and sport movement in their countries, regions or organisations.
Expert Panel Discussions
As part of SailFem 2025, participants engaged in dynamic panel discussions featuring national and international experts in sport leadership, coaching, education, and innovation. These sessions explored key topics such as gender equality in sports governance, technological advancements in coaching, inclusion in para-sports, and the strategic development of women in sailing. The panels offered invaluable insights and encouraged open dialogue on challenges and opportunities for female coaches in Greece and beyond.
Classes & Workshops
SailFem 2025 featured a rich lineup of expert-led classes and interactive workshops designed to strengthen the skills and confidence of female sailing coaches. From leadership development and personal branding to risk management, sponsorship, and communication in coaching, each session addressed the real challenges women face in the field. Participants explored theory and strategy in the classroom and then applied their knowledge on the water—bridging the gap between learning and action in a truly empowering environment.
Online Sessions
The SailFem experience extended beyond the in-person training with a series of impactful online sessions. These virtual events brought together global leaders in sailing and sports development to share their expertise and inspire participants. Topics included international initiatives like World Sailing’s Steering the Course, the WISH high-performance coaching pathway, and a final session on mindset strategies for youth coaching, led by Elena Michael and Olympic medalist Sofia Papadopoulou. The online format offered flexible, continued learning while strengthening the global network of women committed to advancing in sailing coaching.
Practical Session
SailFem Empowerment Training Regatta
On January 15, participants put their skills into action during a dynamic on-water regatta open to athletes from all sailing clubs. The event concluded with an award ceremony honoring the top three athletes and standout coaches.
Featured Talks &
Expert Panel
George Mavrotas
Secretary General of Sport at Ministry of Culture and Sport, Olympian in Water Polo
Promoting Gender Equality in Sports Leadership. Enhancing Women’s Participation and Visibility in Sports
Jan. 13 — 16:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Constantinos Papadias
Associate Vice President for Reach, Innovation & Graduate Studies, AGG, Executive Director, Research, Technology and Innovation, Network (RTIN), Professor, Information Technology, Fellow, IEEE, European Alliance of Innovation, International Artificial Intelligence Industry Alliance
The role of Technology and Innovation in Coaching and Sports Digital Tools and Opportunities for Female Coaches’ Development
Androniki Anastasiou
President of Hellenic Sailing Federation
Breaking Barries in Sailing Leadership – Promoting Women’s Participation in Sailing
Jan. 13 — 16:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Dionysios Karakasis
National Coordinator, National Coordinating Body for the European Week of Sport “Be Active”, Ministry of Education and Sports
The role of European Program “Be Active” in Supporting Women in Sports – Strategies for Increasing Female Participation in Coaching (Greece)
Jan. 13 — 16:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Stratos Achlatis
Representative of Hellenic Sailor Athletes, 8 times Para Sailor Champion, Board member of HSF
The importance of Accessibility and Inclusion in Sports Empowering the Para-Sports Community – The Role of Female Coaches in Empowering the Para-Sports Community
Jan. 13 — 16:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Ioannis Tsoukatos
Member of Hellenic Sailing Coaches Association
The Role of the Coaches’ Association in Advancing Coaching in Sailing – Strengthening Female Coaches in Sailing
Jan. 13 — 17:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Antonios Drosopoulos
National Optimist Sailing Coach
Developing High-Level Athletes and the Role of Coaching. The Participation and Progress of Female Coaches in Developmental Categories
Jan. 13 — 17:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
George Arachovitis
Member of PanHellenic Coaches Association
Promoting Gender Equality in Coaching – Ensuring Excellence and Professional Development for Coaches
Jan. 13 — 17:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Panagiotis Angeletos
Member of Central Organization of School Sport Activities, Ministry of Education and Sports
Integrating Sailing into School Championships
Jan. 13 — 17:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Marianna Makri
Optimist World Champion 2024
Experience at the Highest Level and the Importance of Coach Collaboration
Jan. 13 — 17:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Featured Talks & Speakers
Welcome to SailFem
At the heart of SailFem is a bold vision: to empower women in sailing through leadership, education, and opportunity. As emphasized by Dr. Theodore Priskomatis of The American College of Greece, this initiative is more than a training camp—it’s a movement. Inspired by Olympic medalist Sofia Papadopoulou’s journey, SailFem encourages participants to break barriers, build meaningful networks, and lead the way toward a more inclusive and equitable future in sport.
Theodore Priskomatis
Executive Director, Athletics & Recreation
Welcome
Jan. 13 — 09:30 AM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Symeon Siomopoulos
Assistant Professor, Sport Management, Psychology,
School of Business & Economics
Psychological Preparation of Young Sailing Athletes
Jan. 13 — 10:00 AM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Eugenia Tzoumaka
Assistant Professor Marketing/Sport Management,
School of Business & Economics, Member of Center of Excellence in Food, Tourism & Leisure
Personal Branding for Sports Professionals
Jan. 13 — 11:00 AM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Tatianna Chalkidou
Assistant Professor, Department of International Business, Tourism, Hospitality, School of Business & Economics
Creating Safer Sports Enviroments,
Findings from the RISE project
Jan. 13 — 12:00 AM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Stella Leivadi
Associate Professor & Program Coordinator, Sport Management, Dept. of Management, School of Business & Economics
Olympic Education & the Role of athletes
in promoting Olympic Ideals
Jan. 13 — 15:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Elisavet Velentza
Sport Scientist, Specialized in Talent Identification & Development in Sport
Talent Identification & Development in Sports
Jan. 13 — 14:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Charitomeni Tsordia
Assistant Professor of Sport Management, Dept. of Management, Schools of Business & Economics
Sports Sponsorship : Opportunities and Practical Applications
Jan. 14 — 10:00 AM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
George Saranteas
Coach of Women Volleyball Team Artemis Korydallou, Physical Trainer
Communication in Coaching
Jan. 14 — 11:00 AM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Sofia Papadopoulou
Bronze Olympic Medalist in Sailing Beijing 2008, Coach, PhD candidate of Sport Management UoP
Adaptability to real conditions
Jan. 14 — 12:00 AM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Dikaia Chatziefstathiou
Prof. Dikaia Chatziefstathiou – Expert in Olympic Studies, Safe Sport, and Human Rights, Director of Olympic Research in Safe Sport and Global Esports Leader, Scholar in Safe Sport, Olympic Education, and Youth Engagement, Academic Leader in Olympic Values, Human Rights, and Sport Integrity, International Authority on Safe Sport, Esports Policy, and Olympic Education
Managing Power Relations
Jan. 14 — 13:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Alina Stratigiou
International Jury & Umpire & Member of World Sailing Cmtes
Sailing Race Rules & Equipping Women Coaches with Skills to Lead in Sailing
Jan. 14 — 16:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Chrysa Biskitzi
4 times Olympian in Rowing, Coach of Sport club ENOA and Coach of Bronze Olympic Medalist Antonis Papakonstantinou
Risk Management in Coaching
Jan. 14 — 12:00 AM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Ani Chroni
Dr. Anni Chroni – Scholar in Athlete Transition, Coaching Pathways, and Gender Equity in Sport, International Researcher and Educator in Sport, Coaching, and Gender Studies, Academic Leader in Athlete Career Transitions and Gender-Inclusive Coaching, Expert in Elite Sport Transition, Coach Education, and Gender-Based Violence Prevention, Researcher and Advocate for Women’s Leadership and Equality in Sport
Managing Power Relations
Jan. 14 — 13:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
Ioannis Tsoukatos
Sailing Coach, Physical Educator
Sailing Club Management
Jan. 14 — 15:00 PM
Deree Faculty Lounge, ACG
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