Toplumsal Cinsiyetlendirilmiş Bir Kurum: Futbol Antrenörlüğü Mesleği

Abstract

In this study, it is aimed to reveal the gender-based inequalities experienced by women in football coaching on the basis of Acker's gendered institution theory. This study would contribute to understanding how gender inequalities are experienced in and through football coaching, which is accepted as an institution. Moreover, it would be important to understand the obstacles women coaches face on the football field and set light on recommendations. Qualitative research design was used as it allows to understand and interpret the experiences of women in the field of football coaching. The data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews between December 2021 and February 2022. The research group determined by the criterion sampling method consists of thirteen active women football coaches aged between 23 and 40. Nine of the coaches work in sports clubs, three work in football schools, and one works in the national team. In the analysis of the data, deductive and inductive approaches were adopted together and reflexive thematic analysis method was used. As a result of the analyses, two themes were developed: "A Matter of Existence: To Be or Not To Be" and "Football Player of the Past, Coach of the Future: Organizational Experiences and Expectations". Findings show that women challenge to prove themselves to others to continue their football coaching profession and remain on the football field. It reveals that traditional gender roles attributed to football coaching and women exclude women from the profession of coaching. In addition, the strategies implemented by the TFF in the football coaching profession and coaching training courses are reflected in the experiences of women as inequality. As a result, football coaching in Turkey is a profession in which gendered inequalities are reproduced culturally and institutionally. To achieve gender equality in the field of football coaching, football institutions need to develop and implement strategic action plans, as recommended by UEFA (2021) and FIFA (2019).