Coach Spotlight: Jolanda Annen (SUI)
Insights from the Female Coaches in Triathlon – Status Study and Development Plan (2025) continue to highlight the diverse pathways women take into coaching. While many coaches navigate structural and cultural barriers, the study also identifies the critical role National Federations play in supporting smooth transitions and long-term engagement.Jolanda Annen’s journey offers a powerful example of how proactive Federation support can positively shape a coach’s early career.
A New Chapter After Racing
Recently retired from elite competition, Jolanda Annen is one of Switzerland’s most recognisable triathletes to transition directly into coaching. Shortly after stepping away from racing, Jolanda was offered the opportunity to coach within the Swiss Triathlon Federation (SUI), demonstrating the impact of clear pathways and institutional trust in athletes moving into leadership roles.
Unlike many coaches highlighted in the study, Jolanda has not yet encountered many of the systemic challenges often faced by women in coaching. Her experience underscores an important finding of the research: when Federations actively invest in female coaches early, many barriers can be reduced before they emerge.
Key Themes Explored in the Interview
From Athlete to Coach
Jolanda reflects on the importance of preparing athletes for life beyond competition. The transition from performance to leadership was identified as a critical theme in the study, and Jolanda’s experience reinforces how valuable performance insight can be when paired with structured coaching opportunities.
Immediate Trust and Opportunity
Being entrusted with a coaching role immediately after retirement was a defining moment. Jolanda highlights how this early confidence from the National Federation supported her self-belief and accelerated her development as a coach.
Learning a New Perspective
While her athletic background provided strong technical knowledge, Jolanda speaks about the shift required to see the sport through a coaching lens—focusing on long-term athlete development, communication, and decision-making beyond personal performance.
Navigating a Male-Dominated Space
Although she has not yet faced many of the challenges outlined in the study, Jolanda acknowledges the importance of representation and visibility. Seeing women succeed in coaching roles helps normalise leadership pathways for future generations.
Balancing Growth and Learning
As a newly retired athlete, Jolanda is conscious of the need for continued education, mentorship, and support—key recommendations identified in the study to sustain female coaching participation over time.
Why Jolanda’s Story Matters
The Female Coaches in Triathlon – Status Study and Development Plan (2025) reinforces that meaningful progress depends not only on individual resilience, but on system-level support. Jolene Annan’s experience demonstrates how early opportunity, trust, and structured pathways provided by National Federations can positively influence the transition from athlete to coach.
Her story highlights what is possible when Federations actively support women at pivotal career moments—turning potential into leadership and ensuring the next generation of coaches is both visible and valued.
Watch the full interview video to hear Jolanda’s reflections on transitioning from elite athlete to coach and the importance of Federation support in shaping coaching careers.
Watch the video here -