Abstract
Background: Female coaches across all sports and levels are underrepresented
on a global scale, existing as peripheral figures on the coaching landscape. This is evident in an Irish context, with a recent report suggesting that just 18.7% of
coaches in Gaelic games are female. The reasons for lower levels of female
involvement in coaching have been widely documented, and include females
feeling undervalued or under-appreciated, lacking confidence, and
experiencing a lack of respect, gender stigmatism, and unconscious bias,
within unsupportive organisational cultures. The purpose of this research was
to examine the impact of structural and cultural factors on female coaches’
lived experiences of coaching in Gaelic games.
Methods: Following ethical approval, 8 online semi-structured focus groups
with 38 female coaches from 5 cohorts; generic, inactive, fulltime paid, coach
developers, and cross code coaches were conducted. The data were analysed
using thematic analysis. Following transcription, codes and quotes relevant to
the main research questions in the study were collated and assessed with
reference to the Ecological Intersectional Model.
Discussion: Through an iterative process of analysis and interpretation, four key
themes, and 13 sub themes were constructed, shaped, and reshaped by the
research team. These reflected personal factors, coaching contexts,
organisational supports and societal influences that impacted on the lived
experiences of female coaches in Gaelic games. These included many barriers
and challenges experienced personally and within the organisational culture of
Gaelic games that inhibit female involvement and full engagement across the
coaching pathway. Leaders within Gaelic games should consider mentorship
and networking; development of holistic coaching environments; and greater
flexibility in coach education to increase and retain representation of females
in coaching.
KEYWORDS
Gaelic games, female coaches, culture, education, development
on a global scale, existing as peripheral figures on the coaching landscape. This is evident in an Irish context, with a recent report suggesting that just 18.7% of
coaches in Gaelic games are female. The reasons for lower levels of female
involvement in coaching have been widely documented, and include females
feeling undervalued or under-appreciated, lacking confidence, and
experiencing a lack of respect, gender stigmatism, and unconscious bias,
within unsupportive organisational cultures. The purpose of this research was
to examine the impact of structural and cultural factors on female coaches’
lived experiences of coaching in Gaelic games.
Methods: Following ethical approval, 8 online semi-structured focus groups
with 38 female coaches from 5 cohorts; generic, inactive, fulltime paid, coach
developers, and cross code coaches were conducted. The data were analysed
using thematic analysis. Following transcription, codes and quotes relevant to
the main research questions in the study were collated and assessed with
reference to the Ecological Intersectional Model.
Discussion: Through an iterative process of analysis and interpretation, four key
themes, and 13 sub themes were constructed, shaped, and reshaped by the
research team. These reflected personal factors, coaching contexts,
organisational supports and societal influences that impacted on the lived
experiences of female coaches in Gaelic games. These included many barriers
and challenges experienced personally and within the organisational culture of
Gaelic games that inhibit female involvement and full engagement across the
coaching pathway. Leaders within Gaelic games should consider mentorship
and networking; development of holistic coaching environments; and greater
flexibility in coach education to increase and retain representation of females
in coaching.
KEYWORDS
Gaelic games, female coaches, culture, education, development
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 10.3389/fspor.2024.1436226 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-16 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| Volume | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 11 Sept 2024 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:2024 Haughey, Graffin, Donnelly, McGrane, McGourty, Stapleton, Moore, Williams, Harmon, Horgan and Lane.
Keywords
- Gaelic games, female coaches, culture, education, development
- female coaches
- Gaelic games
- development
- education
- culture
