All the data we have shows that there aren’t enough female coaches in sport.
We know the challenges are deep-rooted: societal attitudes, gender bias, hostile cultures, unequal access to opportunities, an impossible work-life balance. But we don’t yet fully understand the extent of these issues – or how they impact different women in different ways.
That’s why, with Leeds Beckett University, we’ve launched the first national survey of its kind into the working conditions and culture of coaching – covering all sports at every level.
Take the survey anonymously
To spark change, there needs to be a united, strategic approach that works at scale and at pace – across all sports, all organisations that will benefit everyone – men and women.
We are asking all coaches to take part – female and male – working at elite or grassroots, paid or voluntary and whether coaching now or in the past.
We need to know what’s pushing so many women away from coaching. Is it lack of time? Is it the culture? Are there too few opportunities?
But to truly understand women’s experiences in coaching, we need to understand the state of coaching today and in full. We need to know what men, as well as women, think about coach working conditions, culture, progression and development.
Sharing your experiences helps us understand the full picture and builds the evidence we need to create a gender balance in coaching – not only for coaches, but for the girls who will be inspired to take up new opportunities after tuning into the 2025 summer of women’s sport.
Take the survey anonymously
The Women in Coaching Taskforce
This work is part of a wider project, funded by Sport England and led by Women in Sport to transform the experiences of women in coaching.
The Women in Coaching Taskforce will build a shared understanding that leads to lasting change and ultimately, better environments to support more women in coaching.
This is not just about increasing the numbers of female coaches. It’s about building a shared understanding that leads to lasting change and ultimately, better environments to support more women in coaching.
