Gender (In)equality: A Longitudinal Analysis of Women's Participation in Coaching and Referee Positions in the Brazilian Women’s Basketball League (2010-2017)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the participation of women in coaching and referee positions in the Brazilian Women’s Basketball League, from the first edition of the championship (2010) to the present moment (2017). For this proposal, we analyzed the gender of the coaching staff and referee crews from all the matches played in this period. All data were collected from the official match reports, accessed at the League headquarters. The results showed that women represent 24% of the head coaches, and this proportion has remained stable over the past years. However, it was found that women’s participation as assistant coaches dropped from 88% (2010) to 34% (2017). Although, the participation actually increased for women in the positions of referee, umpire 1 and umpire 2, over the past seven years, these positions are still mostly occupied by men. A higher participation of women could be found in scorer and timekeeper positions, which also remained stable over the years. Although women's participation in sports, and specifically in elite Brazilian basketball, has been increasing in the last decades, the findings of this study showed that occupations for women, within basketball are still restricted to positions of less visibility. Men still mostly occupy the positions of leadership, as head coaches and referees. The results suggest the need for debate and proposals of policies, to promote female participation in different leadership positions in basketball. The aim of this study was to analyze the participation of women in coaching and referee positions in the Brazilian Women’s Basketball League, from the first edition of the championship (2010) to the present moment (2017). For this proposal, we analyzed the gender of the coaching staff and referee crews from all the matches played in this period. All data were collected from the official match reports, accessed at the League headquarters. The results showed that women represent 24% of the head coaches, and this proportion has remained stable over the past years. However, it was found that women’s participation as assistant coaches dropped from 88% (2010) to 34% (2017). Although, the participation actually increased for women in the positions of referee, umpire 1 and umpire 2, over the past seven years, these positions are still mostly occupied by men. A higher participation of women could be found in scorer and timekeeper positions, which also remained stable over the years. Although women's participation in sports, and specifically in elite Brazilian basketball, has been increasing in the last decades, the findings of this study showed that occupations for women, within basketball are still restricted to positions of less visibility. Men still mostly occupy the positions of leadership, as head coaches and referees. The results suggest the need for debate and proposals of policies, to promote female participation in different leadership positions in basketball.

Perceptions and experiences of world karate referees: Implications for gender (in)equity

“…In this case, it can be said that women need more to prove themselves not only in coaching but also in refereeing in sport than male individuals. The literature has the studies on that lack of female role models can discourage young girls from following the leadership positions in sport (Passero et al, 2019;Walker and Bopp, 2010). This result corresponds to the findings of the study on female refereeing in karate.…”

“…In addition, 43.6% emphasized the numerical scarcity of female referees in their countries. When we analysed the literature (Kane and Stangl, 1991;Norman, 2010;Passero et al, 2019;Sartore and Cunningham, 2007) we see similar results. It has suggested that women have been marginalized, discriminated against and undervalued in workplace leadership positions in sports.…”

“…In addition, 45.5% of the participants stated that they are not attractive and 60% of them are not emotional. When studies in the literature are examined (Burton et al, 2011;Passero et al, 2019;Sartore, 2007), the power and privilege given to men confirms that masculinity in sports continues to marginalize women at almost all levels. One of the results of this data is that, as determined in this research, women referees experience a lack of role models.…”

A Systematic Review of Co-Educational Models in School Handball

“…Of particular note that one of the major limitations in reaching conclusions was the lack of longitudinal articles showing the evolution of the different aspects analyzed. The effects of the implementation of co-education should be observed over time, among others, by reducing sports drop-out rates and occupying leadership positions in sports that are mostly occupied by the male gender [ 73 ].…”

A representatividade de treinadoras do sexo feminino em uma competição oficial

“…Internacionalmente, há pesquisas envolvendo o estudo de gênero e a representatividade em comissões técnicas de clubes esportivos, profissionais ou não, e também, em programas esportivos em universidades, demonstrando grande discrepância entre os resultados observados coletados envolvendo a diferença entre a presença de homens e mulheres (Fasting & Pfister, 2000, Cunningham & Sagas 2002Shaw & Frisby, 2006, Kilty, 2006, Reade, Rodgers & Norman, 2009, Kamphoff, Armentrout & Driska, 2010, Norman, 2010, Peachey & Burton, 2011, Burton, 2015, Fasting, Sand & Nordstrand, 2017. A nível nacional, algumas pesquisas recentes envolvendo algumas modalidades esportivas, como o caso do Handebol (Silva, Jacó & Krahenbühl, 2021) e Futebol (Passero et al, 2020) e Basquetebol (Passero et al, 2019) destacam-se, além de estudos envolvendo mulheres e o esporte de maneira geral (Goellner, 2005, 2007, Ferreira et al, 2013, Balardin et al, 2018, Ramos, 2018, Torga, 2019 (Paraná Esporte, 2021). Durante a coleta de dados, todos os cargos da Secretaria do Esporte e do Turismoórgão responsável pela competição na épocaeram ocupados por homens (Secretaria do Esporte e do Turismo, 2018).…”