Paper Presentation VIII:
Women in Elite Sports
Sunday, April 11, 10.00–11.30

Milly Blundell UK

The under-representation of women within leadership, management and coaching positions in sport is widely acknowledged by publications such as (The Brighton Declaration, 1994; White & Kay, 2006; UK Sport, 2006; the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation, 2008; Norman, 2008).  This paper reports on women’s perceptions and experiences of their opportunities to participate and engage in sports management, leadership and coaching roles in sport.  The study examined the perspectives of women in such roles via both face-to-face and telephone interviews and identified a number of key issues central to ensuring women have equal opportunities in relation to gaining such roles.  The data represents seven semi-structured interviews with women currently working in the sports sector in leadership, management and coaching positions. The purpose was to gain an insight into their lived experiences as women in an environment rich in male hegemony.   These issues include institutional and organisational barriers; ineffective legislation , policy and strategy documents; sex-role stereotypes; gendered barriers; the ‘locker-room’ culture of masculinity prevalent in sport; lack of role models in sports leadership; access to childcare; in-flexible working conditions; limited mentoring opportunities; low levels of confidence; and support networks and relationships.  Findings indicated that whilst progress has been made by women to advance their careers in organisations, and examples of good practice are evident, women still encounter significant issues or barriers preventing them from reaching the upper echelons of these positions within sport.  As a result there is still much work to be done in equalising opportunities for women in gaining management, leadership and coaching positions in sport.