When I think back on my hockey playing days, I recall only having one male coach during my school, university, provincial, and national experiences. The rest were all female coaches who were extremely good role models for a young and naïve female athlete like myself.
Today’s female hockey players, however, seem to be exposed to predominantly male coaches from school hockey to international level.
While it is important to recognize the valuable contributions that male coaches have made in the field hockey community, there is a need for increased representation of female coaches in the sport. Let’s explore why that is:
The Importance of Female Coaches in South African Women’s Field Hockey
Women coaches provide unique perspectives and insights that can greatly benefit the players and the overall development of the sport. They understand the specific challenges and experiences that women face in the sport, and can provide guidance and support based on their own experiences. Moreover, female coaches serve as role models for young girls who aspire to pursue a career in field hockey.
Studies have shown that female athletes who are coached by women perceive less discrimination and are more inclined to enter coaching themselves in the future (Fasting & Pfister, 2000). Additionally, research has shown that the coach’s understanding of their female athletes’ psychosocial development is crucial for a successful athlete-coach relationship and femaleathletes’ satisfaction in sport (Legac et al., 2023).
The argument for preferring female coaches for school girls and female university students in field hockey is that they can potentially provide a more inclusive and supportive environment, allowing the female athletes to feel understood and valued. One example that supports the argument for female coaches in field hockey is the case study of women-only coach education courses in Scottish field hockey. These courses were valued by women coaches and helped improve their confidence in coaching. Additionally, it is important to address the barriers that women face in coaching roles, including a lack of support, inadequate salary, job insecurity, and difficulties in working with parents, spectators, and coaching at weekends and evenings(Eime et al., 2021).
This underrepresentation of female coaches not only limits the opportunities available to women in coaching roles but also perpetuates gender biases and stereotypes. By allowing more female coaches to enter the field, we create an environment that is more inclusive and diverse, benefiting both the athletes and the sport itself. Previous female national team coaches for women’s field hockey in South Africa include Ros Howell (2001 – 2004) Jenny King (2004-2006), and Lindsey Wright (2006-2014) with Tsoanelo Pholo (current hockey 5’s national coach). The decline in female coaches in women’s field hockey is a concerning trend.
Additionally, societal norms and stereotypes play a role in perpetuating the idea that coaching is a more suitable profession for men. Furthermore, the male-dominated culture within the sport industry can create barriers for women in coaching .
Real-life Examples of Female Coaches in Field Hockey
There are numerous real-life examples of female coaches making a positive impact in the field hockey world. For instance, Alyson Annan, a former field hockey player from Australia, has had tremendous success as a coach. She led the Netherlands women’s national team to back-to-back gold medals at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2012, as well as coaching the Australian women’s national team to a silver medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Another example is Karen Brown, who served as the head coach of the England women’s field hockey team from 2001 to 2012. During her tenure, she guided the team to numerous medals at major international tournaments, including a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics. These examples highlight the capabilities and achievements of female coaches in field hockey, demonstrating their ability to lead teams to success on a global stage.
“One hundred percent of male athletes have had a male Coaching role model during their athletic careers, to their benefit; young women likewise need and deserve more same sex role models.” Nicole LaVoi Ph.D
“By increasing the number of women coaches, we can change perceptions, give equitable opportunities and positively influence the lives of young women. We are poised to change the landscape not just for current coaches, but also for the next generation of aspiring female coaches.” The Alliance of Women Coaches, Executive Director, Megan Kahn
As women, we understand the psychological makeup of young girls. The life experiences that girls go through are very different from that of boys. They’re taught to act and think differently.
It’s important for a coach to understand how a girl mentally prepares for her sport. This is where we as female coaches come in. We are there to share our knowledge with the girls and give them an experience of a lifetime.
Hopefully, this will encourage them to continue with their competitive natures and take up coaching themselves.