EXPERIENCES OF FEMALE TRACK AND FIELD COACHES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS REGARDING THEIR OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN THE WORKPLACE

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive study was to explore the experiences of female track and field coaches in secondary schools regarding their opportunities and challenges in the workplace. The researcher used the qualitative phenomenological research methodology to explain and describe the essence and perceptions of female secondary track and field coaches regarding their experiences in the workplace. In so doing, the researcher gained knowledge about the experiences of female track of field coaches as the participants shared their feelings, described their perceptions, and sensed their self-awareness. Participants were purposefully selected from the populations of female secondary track and field coaches in the greater Houston area. Potential participants' email addresses were obtained from professional coaching organizations, including Texas High School Coaches Association, USATF Gulf Coast Association, U.S, and social media. Female coaches were invited to participate in the study via email, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Eleven female coaches were invited to participate in the study, complete the consent form, and participate in an interview. A portion of the Lars and Proctor's Interview Guide was used in this study. The instrument contained open-ended questions, including personal and professional background questions. The Ecological Model of Barriers and Supports for Female Coaches (LaVoi & Dutove, 2012) was used to create additional questions used in the interview process for professional coaching experience, and the professional work environment. The questions focused on secondary female coaches' supports and barriers in the workplace. Participants were invited to complete a demographic questionnaire and invited to be interviewed via Zoom. In this study, a purposeful sample was selected based on the specific criteria that was developed to meet expectations for this study. This study found stress and burnout, lack of staff support, good ol’ boys club, and leadership stereotypes and marginalization to be barriers that female track and field coaches experience in the workplace. Participants shared that being a successful athlete, single without children, having a female coach, personality, skills, knowledge and experience, staff support, family work balance, and connecting with coaches to be supports that female track and field coaches experience in the workplace.

Keywords: female athletic coaches, female track and field coach, female high-performance coaches, barriers,