RCIS

Abstract:

This study examines the persistent underrepresentation of women in sports coaching despite a substantial increase in female athletic participation and the expansion of gender equality policies. Through a comparative analysis of the United States and Israel, it draws on a structured review of 58 peer-reviewed studies and policy reports. The analysis applies the concept of homologous reproduction to explain how recruitment practices and career pathways contribute to the continued dominance of men in coaching positions. The findings indicate that legal frameworks such as Title IX in the United States and the Equal Rights of Women Law in Israel have increased opportunities for participation but have not produced comparable gains in coaching positions. This gap is associated with informal hiring networks, gendered organizational cultures, and limited accountability in recruitment processes. By examining these dynamics across two distinct national contexts, the article shows how similar patterns of exclusion persist despite differences in policy design and governance structures. The study contributes to debates on gender equity in sport by highlighting the limitations of participation-centered approaches and emphasizing the need for institutional reforms that address the organizational processes shaping leadership access.

Keywords:

athletic directors; female sports coaching underrepresentation; gender disparities; homologous reproduction; recruitment practices; women’s sports coaching.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.33788/rcis.94.4

Download: Gender Inequality in Sports Coaching: Comparative Insights from the U.S. and Israel