The coaching preferences of female athletes : a qualitative investigation

A number of researchers have investigated female athlete coaching preferences and have found inconclusive results dealing with the gender of the coach (Medwechuk & Grossman, 1994; Tomlinson & Yorganci, 1997; Weinberg, Reveles, & Jackson, 1984; Whitaker & Molstad, 1988). Vernaccia (1977) and Johnson (1998) are the only qualitative studies examining the coach-athlete relationship thus far. Neither study focused solely on female athletes' experiences. Dale (1996) stated that sport psychology researchers can learn a great deal about athlete's experiences via interviews where they are free to describe their experiences. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to utilize qualitative research methodologies to explore collegiate female athletes' experiences of being coached by men and women. A second purpose was to examine female athletes' general coaching preferences. Six National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I female athletes from different sports were interviewed on their coaching preferences and their experiences of gender in coaching. A semi-structured interview was used to examine this phenomenon. Results revealed two themes of coaching preferences: Personal Relationship and Sport Insight. In addition, the theme of Gender was prompted by me and therefore is representative of these athlete's experiences of being coached rather than their coaching preferences. The theme of Personal Relationship had five subthemes: Respect, Trust, Supportive, Warmth, and Individual Too. The subthemes of Sport Insight were: Motivational, Knowledge, Mental Preparation, and Organization- The subtheme of Knowledge had a smaller subtheme of Experience. The Gender subtheme of Female had the following subthemes: Competition and Living Vicariously. Then, for the subtheme of Male: Father Figure. Results of the present study support and expand on previous research on leadership styles and gender in coaching. This study concluded with recommendations for future research in gender and sport.