Exploring gender differences in athletes’ perceptions of the coaching profession in the Gauteng Province of South Africa

Abstract

Although research has explored coaches’ perceptions of the coaching profession, a preliminary investigation should instead prioritise athletes’ interest in pursuing coaching roles. This study examined athletes’ perceptions of the coaching profession in the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The study used a cross-sectional design involving a sample of 200 (152 male and 48 female; M_age = 29.21, SD = 4.75) athletes. Data were collected using the Coach Interest Survey to examine the reasons athletes cite for entering the coaching profession, and the Perceived Hindrance Scale was used to investigate perceived barriers to the coaching profession. Results indicated that athletes would pursue a coaching career to prove that they could be successful coaches, to give something back to the sport, to work towards equal pay and opportunity for women coaches, to promote and advance the sport, for the opportunity to travel, and to pursue their interest in working with young people. The perceived barriers that would prevent them from entering the coaching profession were unfavourable work hours, pressure to win, and working on evenings and weekends. These results provide practical insights for administrators seeking to recruit and attract athletes to become future coaches.