The experiences of women coaches in community sport are diverse and can be influenced by a range of factors, including governance, culture, policies, and sport coaching pathways.

This summary outlines key findings from research that examined the environment for women coaches in three major sports that have a predominance of men in coaching roles – football (soccer), basketball and Australian rules football.

The research explores the key barriers experienced by women coaches, including selection and development pathways, and identifies recommendations for both sport governing bodies and community sporting clubs to provide further support for women coaches at a community sporting level.

The researchers’ previous review of research into the experiences of women coaches within community sport highlighted that:

* women coaches are under-represented in community sport, despite increased participation rates of women and girls in sport.
* the sport coaching environment is not a positive, nor a welcoming one for many women coaches.

This research was delivered by La Trobe University researchers, in partnership with Northern Football Netball League, Basketball Victoria and Football Victoria, and was funded through the Change Our Game Research Grants Program.

Read the research summary here.

Thursday 8 February, 2024