Female coaches reveal a shocking extent of sexism in football

The extent of sexism experienced by female football coaches has been exposed in a new report.

Four in five female coaches (80 percent) have faced some form of sexism or misogyny in a coaching environment, according to a survey by anti-discrimination group Kick It Out. The findings also show that 70 percent of women have experienced this while taking a football coaching course.

The figures, published ahead of International Women’s Day, raise serious questions about whether football is doing enough to be inclusive. 54 percent of respondents admit that they have considered quitting coaching because of the sexism they have experienced.

Caroline started coaching at a grassroots club that her daughter joined in 2018. She was regularly undermined, questioned and ignored by male coaches and parents to the point where it became ‘exhausting’.

“I have seen misogyny personally, but I have also seen and experienced it in terms of what is and is not made available for girls’ football, either through a lack of facilities for girls’ football or a willingness to make it more widespread. ”, said Caroline Telegraph Sports.

‘It’s that repeated undermining, talking over you. It is standing with your male colleague and asking someone questions to the man. It’s called “honey” or “love” by opposition coaches on the sidelines. It rears its ugly head because it is a lot of people’s free time and therefore the rules do not apply in terms of good social behavior, etiquette and politeness.

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“For me it is the death of a thousand cuts. It’s everything you don’t see that often in the working world anymore – I don’t think so. I’m 47 and have no patience for it.”

In addition to her experiences as a coach, she saw the girls’ section of the Oxfordshire club somewhat marginalised. They were not allowed to create additional teams due to weekly crowds on the field with boys’ football teams and had to send away female players. Caroline offered to find another location, but her suggestions were met with fierce resistance.

“There was no flexibility,” Caroline said. “I think they felt like they had reached the pinnacle of girls soccer, that they could tick that box. It was like, ‘We do girls’ football, we have two girls’ teams – yeah.’ There are plenty of clubs that stop there. That’s their kind of lip service to girls’ football.”

In 2021, Caroline and her colleagues decided to break away from that club and form a new all-girls entity, the Blewbury Amazons FC. The club now has more than 200 girls playing every week from under-sevens to under-15s.

Challenge perceptions around the game

A greater presence of women on the sidelines or in leadership positions could help to more quickly eradicate sexism and misogyny and challenge the perception that football is a “man’s game”, according to Caroline.

“What we really need in grassroots football is more mothers on the sidelines and being positive role models for the girls playing,” she said.

Another woman, who manages girls at a grassroots club, said she had faced an “appalling” amount of sexism over the past two years. She was about to complete her UEFA B badge but has since retired from coaching.

More than half (57 percent) of the 115 respondents coaching in England and Wales said they were spoken to differently when coaching based on their gender. 55 percent had their opinions questioned or overlooked, and 48 percent had their knowledge of the rules questioned.

Of those who had experienced sexism while coaching, 56 percent had experienced abuse from other coaching staff, either at their own club or opposition staff, and 40 percent from parents of players they coached.

The lack of women’s coaches across the football pyramid has become a hot topic in light of the massive growth of the women’s game. Only a third of clubs in the Women’s Super League have female managers, with Chelsea’s Emma Hayes one of only 21 women in England to hold a UEFA Pro license.

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‘Women should have the freedom to coach without having to deal with sexism and misogyny’

By Hollie Varney, Chief Operating Officer of Kick It Out

I am not at all surprised by the results of this study. In fact, they support my own experiences.

I have been coaching for about four years now and am currently working on obtaining my UEFA B license. I coach a U14 girls side in the Junior Premier League, where many of the academy teams compete. Almost all the clubs my team faced were managed by men.

I have arrived on match days and been asked by opposing managers if I am a parent or referee even though I am wearing club kit, and have even been asked if I can walk on the line as they laugh among themselves as if they’ve made a funny joke. I have seen other opposition managers and parents swear at me, be aggressive and generally unwelcoming. I can’t blame my own group of parents. They are supportive and encouraging, but I have done my best to help create that positive environment, which cannot be said for all teams and clubs.

I will say that when a grown man approaches you in a hostile manner, which has happened to me a few times and other women I’ve talked to, it can be very confrontational. In general, as a female coach you feel like you have to prove yourself just that little bit more, because you are in such a minority.

I have also had some great experiences as a coach, from children writing me thank you notes to parents telling me how much their children have developed, both in football and in their self-confidence. What keeps me motivated as a coach are the players. It’s great to see how much fun the girls have playing football, the big smiles on their faces week in, week out, and the friendships they build. It’s great to be part of that. This is what drives me to continue coaching.

Women should have the freedom to coach at all levels without having to deal with sexism and misogyny. That’s why we believe that education for clubs and coaches across the football pyramid is essential, with a focus on tackling unconscious bias and understanding how sexism and misogyny infiltrate attitudes within football. At Kick It Out we offer a range of educational materials through our digital learning platform, The Academy. We also work with coach educators at grassroots level to tackle unconscious bias within clubs.

We also want more women to come forward and report their experiences of discrimination to us so that we can discuss and address their complaint. Of respondents who had experienced sexism or misogyny during a coaching course, 71 percent did not feel comfortable reporting it to the course instructor for fear it would harm their career or advancement, and because they believed no action would be taken undertaken. We must ensure that reported incidents are followed up with appropriate action, and we strive to play our part in this.

Finally, if I could give any advice to women who are coaching or thinking about it: give it a try. I love being able to have a positive influence on young girls playing football and being someone they can look up to – that’s the real focus point that I hope will encourage more women to start or continue continue coaching and be part of the next generation that creates the change we want to see. It might be the most rewarding job you’ve ever done.