In a recent revelation, a former female football coach shared that she decided to leave the sport due to what she referred to as “a sliding scale of sexism.” Despite the challenges she faced in her coaching career, she expressed optimism that her experiences would not deter other women and girls from pursuing their love for the game.
A recent survey conducted by the anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out shed light on the troubling levels of misogyny and abuse towards women in football. Shockingly, 80% of the 115 respondents, ranging from Football Association Level 1 to Uefa A Licence, reported encountering sexism or misogyny in a coaching environment. Additionally, over half of the participants admitted to contemplating quitting coaching due to such discrimination.
The survey also revealed that 70% of the respondents had experienced sexism or misogyny during a coaching course. In response, Kick It Out has developed educational resources to tackle these issues and has noted a significant rise in reports of sexism and misogyny within football.
Hollie Varney, the Chief Operating Officer of Kick It Out, expressed her astonishment at the survey’s findings, emphasizing the urgency of addressing sexism and misogyny in football. She stressed the importance of taking these issues seriously to establish a more welcoming environment for women in coaching.
An anonymous female coach shared her distressing experience, citing a Football Association coaching course as the site of her worst encounters with sexism. She recounted facing verbal and physical assault, as well as enduring derogatory comments from parents, coaches, and opposition managers. Despite her passion for coaching, she found herself constantly undermined and overlooked in her coaching environment.
Despite lodging a complaint with the FA, she felt that it was not appropriately handled at the time. However, the FA has since taken a firm stance against such behaviour, enforcing a zero-tolerance policy towards sexism and abuse in football, and encouraging individuals to report any incidents for thorough investigation.
The woman ultimately decided to discontinue her coaching journey due to the traumatic experiences she endured, feeling unable to continue in such an environment. Nevertheless, she urges other women to pursue coaching, highlighting the presence of a supportive network of female coaches.
It is evident that addressing sexism and misogyny in football is imperative in creating a nurturing and supportive environment for women in coaching. By confronting these issues directly and fostering a robust support network, we can work towards eliminating the barriers that hinder women from pursuing their passion in football.