Women coaches - why it should be the norm
- March 5th, 2015
- Camilla Chapman
Females coaching males has long been a taboo in Sport, unheard of. But not anymore - because females are coaching in male sport, some even professionally.
Let's take women's Rugby World Cup winners Katherine Merchant and Rochelle Clark, who are both managing British Rugby team Chesham Stags and have done for a number of years. Despite the pair being at the top of the Women's game and proven on the international stage, they recently spoke to BBC Sport of frequently being mistaken for physios or being completely ignored by opposition coaches.
The perception is there of female coaching in male sport, that some may find it 'strange' and may even draw sexist remarks. But times are changing and it's becoming more frequent to see a female take a coaching role in a men's side, educating others to help end the perception of female coaches.
Professionally females are also beginning to coach males more; former French footballer Corinne Diarce is in charge of French Ligue 2 side Clermont Foot, retired basketball player Becky Hammon is the first assistant full-time coach in the NBA, and Grand-Slam winner Amelie Mauresmo currently coaches British Tennis player Andy Murray. Murray recently defended his appointment of Mauresmo, stating that "women can be very good coaches" and that he saw no reason why there shouldn't be more women coaches.
With 2 million fewer women taking part in physical activity compared to men, there is already a smaller base for coaches to develop from. Attitudes and perception must change to help ensure that female coaches are the norm, and look for other ways to encourage more women to take up coaching roles. So ladies, it is OK - if you have an opportunity to coach and take part in the sport you love best, then go for it. Check out the Women in Sport website, to give you tips on how to start coaching and sport, as well as finding out how they supporting women in sport!