Soccer above all? Analysis of academic and vocational education among female soccer players in the German women's Bundesliga and 2nd women's Bundesliga
A summary of the research:
The article "Soccer Above All? Analysis of Academic and Vocational Education Among Female Soccer Players in the German Women’s Bundesliga and 2nd Women’s Bundesliga" explores the balance between professional soccer careers and academic or vocational education among elite female players. The study, based on survey data from 200 players, reveals that 90.6% of the respondents were either pursuing or had already completed higher education or vocational training. Most players chose to study while continuing their soccer careers, reflecting their understanding of the limited long-term financial benefits of professional women’s soccer. The study highlights the importance of dual career paths for female athletes, who face lower earnings compared to their male counterparts, necessitating education to secure their post-sport careers.
The findings suggest that while a majority of players manage to balance both soccer and education, challenges remain, particularly for national team members who face greater time constraints due to their sporting commitments. Additionally, the study emphasizes that academic education, especially in university settings, is more flexible and conducive to being combined with a sports career than vocational training. This research points out the importance of early career planning and support systems to help players transition into careers outside of sports.
Key Takeaways:
High educational participation: 90.6% of surveyed players were pursuing or had completed academic or vocational education.
Balancing challenges: National team players face more difficulty balancing their education due to the demands of their soccer careers.
Academic flexibility: University education, due to its flexibility, is better suited for players than vocational training when combined with a sports career
Authors: Peter Ehnold, Andreas Gohritz, Lena Lotzen, & Torsten Schlesinger
You can read the entire article here.
