Gender equity in coaching: The evaluation of the effectiveness of year two of a community soccer program

Francesca Principe, Ellen MacPherson, Gretchen Kerr 

The underrepresentation of women coaches at all sports levels worldwide is a significant issue facing the sport community (Banwell, 2020). Research shows women coaches bring many benefits to the sport environment, however, significant barriers hinder women from coaching, including gender role assumptions, experiences of harassment, a male-dominated environment, competing domestic responsibilities, lack of self-efficacy, and a lack of programs designed to mentor and develop women coaches (LaVoi & Dutove, 2012; Kerr & Ali, 2012; Kerr & Banwell, 2016; Norman, 2013). To address these barriers and increase the number of women in coaching, a Canadian community soccer club implemented a three-year pilot program designed to recruit and train women coaches through the provision of strategic supports, including, organization-funded coach training, childcare, and a local social support network. A mixed-methods evaluation of Year 2 of the pilot program included 17 participants in the pre-participation survey, seven participants in the focus groups, and seven participants in the post-participation survey. The evaluation assessed the effectiveness of the program, perceived outcomes of participation, recommendations for improving the program, and participants’ perspectives on the changes made based on the evaluation of year 1. Results demonstrated the program is successful in recruiting and developing women coaches by alleviating key barriers through the provision of informational and instrumental supports, opportunities to develop personally and professionally, and effective design and delivery of the program. Finally, this presentation will discuss the significance of the program for advancing women and girls in sport research and practice in Canada and beyond.