When you picture a soccer coach, what gender are they? Now think of a Director of Coaching – what gender are they? What about a referee? Or a top-level club president?
Simple enough questions, but the answers illustrate one of the continuing battles of sports in America: why are there so few women in high-level coaching and administration positions?
espnW and ESPN The Magazine have published an article about women in coaching entitled “The Glass Wall,” named for the phenomenon researchers see in college sports – men can coach women, but women don’t coach men.
Read the article – it’s worth your time and it’s incredibly thought-provoking. Share it with your board and start a conversation about what role models your organization is providing to your players.
Is there a “glass wall” in youth soccer? How can we, as pillars of the soccer community, do better to ensure that we provide our players with great examples of women in soccer that aren’t only players, but referees, coaches, and other leaders?
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