Sport Coaching and the Inclusion of Black Women in the United Kingdom
A summary of the article:
The article "Sport Coaching and the Inclusion of Black Women in the United Kingdom" examines the underrepresentation of Black women in sport coaching roles across the UK. Through interviews with eight Black women coaches, the study explores the challenges they face in a male-dominated and racially biased sports environment. Using Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Black feminist thought, the authors highlight three key themes in the participants' experiences: feeling hyper-visible as a minority, overcoming the burden of doubt regarding their competence, and dealing with everyday sexism. These women are often seen as "diversity tokens" in their organizations and must constantly prove their capabilities, even as their presence is scrutinized more than their male or white counterparts.
The findings indicate that despite legislative efforts to diversify sports coaching, the intersection of race and gender continues to disadvantage Black women coaches. Many of the participants expressed frustrations over being overlooked for promotions and being treated as inferior to male coaches. Additionally, they discussed the emotional and physical toll of constantly having to assert their presence in spaces traditionally dominated by white men. The article calls for structural changes in sport organizations to address these ingrained biases and provide better support for Black women in coaching roles.
Key Takeaways:
Hypervisibility and tokenism: Black women coaches often feel they are used as diversity symbols while their contributions and skills are undervalued.
Overcoming the burden of doubt: These coaches frequently face doubts about their competence due to both racial and gender stereotypes, requiring them to prove their worth continually.
Everyday sexism: The women described facing subtle and overt sexist behaviors from male colleagues, contributing to a hostile work environment that hinders their professional development.
Authors: Alexandra J Rankin-Wright & Leanne Norman
You can read the whole article here.
