The Experiences of High-Performance Female Coaches in Luxembourg

The article discusses the underrepresentation of women in high-performance (HP) coaching and the challenges faced when they do succeed in gaining entry to this male-dominated domain. Underpinned by LaVoi and Dutove’s ecological model, six women currently coaching at HP level in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg were interviewed, reflecting on their experiences in their role.

The article highlights that women coaches face a range of challenges including gender stereotypes, lack of support and resources, and work-life balance issues.

Why it's a good practice: Based on interviews on leadership role such as a high performance coach, the article gives a social phenomenological analysis approach was taken, with a deductive thematic analysis identifying 32 raw data themes: five supports (e.g., passion for the job) and four barriers (e.g., personal sacrifices) were reported at individual level; five supports (e.g., family support) and three barriers (e.g., lack of federation support) identified at interpersonal level; three supports (e.g., open communication environment) and seven barriers (e.g., lack of entry opportunities) noted at organizational level; and two supports (e.g., increased acceptance by male athletes) and three barriers (e.g., hegemonic masculinity) described at societal level.

Read the full analysis: https://doi.org/10.1123/wspaj.2021-0061