Natalya E P Halliwell

UA92 | | Degree: BA Hons Physical Education
An analysis of coaches' perceptions and experiences of women's football.

Abstract

Women’s football has developed due to a range of widening participation initiatives (e.g., Wildcats), increased media coverage of international events and the success of the Lionesses. However, some research argues that society and key stakeholders are not making efforts to support and embed long-term change into women’s football. In turn, this study investigated grassroots coaches experiences and perceptions of the development of women’s football, and what needs to be done to develop it further? A qualitative research design was adopted, four semi-structured interviews were conducted, involving two male and two female grassroots coaches. Through an interpretivist paradigm, following a constructivist approach, thematic analysis was conducted, and four themes were constructed, namely; The FA’s Wildcats, Societal stereotypes and The FA, Media, and The Development of Women’s Football. In The FA theme, a coach suggested that The FA’s “top committees need to change” (Coach D), in order for sustained and impactful development across football. The coaches suggested that a more diverse representation of genders on FA boards is needed as is the funding available for women’s grassroots football. Alongside this, it is hoped that new initiatives such as the FA emerging talent centres will help The FA and relevant committees to develop the women’s games and also provoke change at board level and across wider society.

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Natalya E P Halliwell