What preference do athletes have towards gender of a coach?

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of student athletes towards their preference of the gender of coach. This study is based upon qualitative semi-structured interviews with ten student athletes from a mixture of gender specific sports; rugby, football and netball. A critical feminist outlook is used to illustrate the challenges of being a female coach and the perspectives that attach to both genders which hinders the preference towards having a female coach. This analysis is discussed in relation of the gender and how perceptions are connected to the reasoning behind the respondent’s answers. The influential impact of the ideologies within sport consist of the patriarchal view of women, which leads society to view women coaches are inadequate and unsuccessful due to the background nature. This is identified as a critical issue in continuing the male domain in coaching. The dominant view of society is established through women’s limited experiences and men’s substantial society control in the sporting profession. In addition, a highlighted importance of how the traditional views impact the current coaching system, which contribute to the absence of preference of female coaches