Exploring “lone woman” coaches’ experiences and opportunities in men’s football settings

This paper explores the experiences and opportunities of "lone woman" coaches (i.e. the only woman coach) working in men's English football settings. Thirteen women football coaches who were qualified at UEFA B Licence participated in this study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants, who completed a timeline booklet prior to the interviews to facilitate reflection on their experiences. Following thematic analysis, results showed three higher-order themes: (a) considering early football and coaching influences, shaped by family role models and a passion for football; (b) experiencing discrimination due to gender, including sexism and inequality, and feelings of loneliness; and (c) encountering limited forms and sources of learning, such as insufficient mentorship and formal coach education. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to support women coaches, such as increased mentorship programs and adaptations towards coach education. This study contributes to the existing literature by providing insights into the specific challenges faced by women coaches within men's football. This study is the first to focus specifically on the experiences of "lone woman" coaches in men's football.