What Hinders Female Coach Development in Field Hockey

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

Hockey is also a sport with a multidirectional nature. The ability to change direction rapidly while maintaining balance without loss of speed is therefore an important physical component necessary for a successful performance in the sport. There are currently disproportionately fewer women than men coaching hockey at competitive levels. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews were conducted with female coaches and players to investigate this current trend.. An analysis of the questionnaire and interview data revealed that gender barriers still continue to limit women's access to competitive hockey coaching positions. Such barriers include: unfair economic distributions and opportunities, negative perceptions and lack of media support. The tactics to eliminate these barriers focus on making improvements in the following areas: mentoring programs, economic distributions and opportunities, media support, perceptions and government involvement.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

1.1INTRODUCTION TO THE CHAPTER1

1.2BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY1

1.3INTRODUCTION TO THE RESEARCH GOAL2

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW4

1.1INTRODUCTION TO THE CHAPTER4

1.2THE SPORT OF HOCKEY4

1.3SPORT DEVELOPMENT5

1.4COACH DEVELOPMENT7

1.5GENDER AND SPORT10

1.6FEMINISM IN SPORT12

1.7FEMALE COACHES12

1.8BARRIERS TO COACHING17

2.9SUPPORT FOR FEMALE COACH DEVELOPMENT21

2.10MENTORING23

2.11ULSTER HOCKEY24

2.12THE COACHING STRUCTURE OF HOCKEY IN ULSTER (AND IRELAND)25

2.13CHAPTER CONCLUSION27

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY28

3.1INTRODUCTION TO THE CHAPTER28

3.2RESEARCH DESIGN28

3.2.1The Research Process30

3.3THE RESEARCHER31

3.4RESEARCHER BIAS31

3.5PARTICIPANTS32

3.6ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS33

3.7DATA COLLECTION34

3.8PROCEDURES34

3.9CHAPTER CONCLUSION36

CHAPTER 4: RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS38

4.1Introduction to the chapter38

4.2Questionnaire findings38

4.3Open ended questions responses40

4.3.1As a coach what do you need to support your coaching development? (Open ended text boxes - some comments listed below)41

4.4Perceived Hindrance Scale42

4.5Summary of questionnaire findings46

4.6Interviewed coach's backgrounds46

4.7Interview findings48

4.7.1Lack of time48

4.7.2Lack of support from someone senior52

4.7.3Contextual/Conditional Factors57

4.7.4Sources of Stress, Managing Stress, and Perceptions61

4.8CHAPTER CONCLUSION64

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION65

5.1INTRODUCTION TO THE CHAPTER65

5.2THE RESEARCH GOAL65

5.3Summary of research findings66

5.3.1Optimal Coaching Education66

5.3.2Leadership67

5.3.3Health and fitness68

5.4Recommendations for future research70

5.5Getting Women to Apply: Better Job Packages72

5.6THE GENDER RATIO73

5.7MEDIA SUPPORT PROMOTING WOMEN IN SPORTS73

5.8CHANGING NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS WOMEN COACHING74

5.9FUTURE RESEARCH75

5.10CHAPTER CONCLUSION76

REFERENCES77

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Introduction to the chapter

The introductory chapter encompasses the purpose and structure of the thesis and some of the background that currently exists within the topic area. Throughout this piece of work the researcher may use feminine pronouns (such as she and her) when referring to coaches. This by no means is intended to detail any bias towards female coaches and is simply for ease of reading. The researcher from this point forward will also refer to field hockey as hockey.

Background to the study

The research aims to critically review and provide an insight into the development of female hockey coaches within the structure governing the development of hockey in the province of Ulster. A performance target with Sport Northern Ireland's Sport Matters strategy has set the target of having “to 45,000 appropriately qualified, part time and ...