FIFA has introduced new rules requiring all teams in its women’s tournaments to include at least one female head coach or assistant coach. The mandate will apply across all competitions and is part of a broader push to increase the representation of women in coaching roles at the highest levels of the sport.
Monash University experts are available to provide commentary on this new decision.
Professor Ruth Jeanes, Deputy Dean Research within the Faculty of Education
Contact: +61 3 9903 4840 or [email protected]
Read more of Professor Jeanes’ commentary at Monash Lens
Professor Jeanes is a sociologist whose research interests focus on the use of sport and active recreation as a community development resource, particularly to address social exclusion amongst acutely marginalised groups.
Comments attributable to Professor Jeanes:
“This is a really positive move from FIFA. Regulation is an important mechanism in driving gender equity across sport and increasing representation of women as coaches in all levels of football.
“Despite initiatives to raise the number of women involved in coaching and developing pathways to performance, it is indicative that gender equity efforts without accountability aren't enough on their own to raise the number of women coaching in football.
“FIFA mandating the inclusion of women coaches at an elite level will force changes and ultimately increase the number of women that have the opportunity to coach at the elite level.
“In order to be successful, it will be important to invest in support for women coaches coming through the coaching system and to address current systemic barriers and issues with exclusionary coaching systems that prevent women from being able to reach higher levels of coaching qualifications.
“Regulation is important but this is not likely to be successful unless the support is also available to allow women to progress through coaching pathways.”
Dr Nadia Bevan, Sociology in the Faculty of Arts
Contact: +61 3 9903 4840 or [email protected]
Read more of Dr Bevan’s commentary at Monash Lens
Dr Bevan is passionate about creating inclusive sporting environments for all, in particular girls and women.
The following can be attributed to Dr Bevan:
“The inclusion of women cannot be tokenistic and needs to address the systemic (and historical) barriers, but also the cultures that are embedded in sports such as Football, where men's knowledge and skills are often valued and prioritised more than women's.
For more experts, news, opinion and analysis, visit Monash News.
For any other topics on which you may be seeking expert comment, contact the Monash University Media Unit on +61 3 9903 4840 or [email protected]
