The Coaching Knife: Why don't men rate women coaches, with Nic Evans
Sep 6, 2024
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Nic Evans, a former rugby player for Wales and an experienced L4 coach, dives deep into the challenges women face in coaching, especially in a male-dominated sport like rugby. She discusses the stereotype barriers that hinder women's professional opportunities and emphasizes the urgent need for inclusive hiring practices. Drawing from personal stories, Nic highlights the power of patience and relationship-building in overcoming biases. The conversation also celebrates female achievements in rugby, showcasing how representation can inspire future generations.
Traditional perceptions of leadership contribute significantly to the underrepresentation of women coaches in rugby and challenge their acceptance.
Systemic changes and structured coaching opportunities are vital for empowering women in rugby coaching roles and ensuring equitable representation.
Deep dives
Barriers to Women Coaching in Rugby
Traditional perceptions of leadership play a significant role in the underrepresentation of women in rugby coaching. Many still view women as less capable due to entrenched stereotypes about what makes an effective coach, such as control and mastery. Despite women demonstrating these qualities, the lack of trust from male counterparts hinders their acceptance in coaching roles, often leading to a cyclical disqualification from experiences critical for advancement. The podcast highlights that women's knowledge and skills are frequently undermined, creating roadblocks when they compete for coaching positions compared to their male counterparts who might have less relevant experience.
The Importance of Experience in Coaching
Experience is crucial for coaches wishing to advance, particularly in dealing with elite competition's psychological and operational challenges. The discussion illustrates that while shadowing opportunities exist, the lack of pressure in those roles does not adequately prepare women for the competitive environment of coaching. Furthermore, women often lack the formal opportunities that men receive, making it more difficult for them to articulate relevant experiences in interviews. The podcast suggests that a systemic change is necessary, emphasizing the need for structured pathways that provide practical experience in high-pressure scenarios to develop capable female coaches.
Creating Inclusive Paths for Future Coaches
A proactive approach to creating equitable coaching roles is essential for organizational growth in rugby. The podcast emphasizes the responsibility of governing bodies and clubs to ensure fair representation in coaching staff, particularly for women who balance personal and professional commitments. Programs that create structured coaching opportunities and mentorship for women are crucial for their long-term success and retention in the sport. Ultimately, the discourse stresses that systemic changes must be made to inspire and retain the next generation of female coaches, enabling them to share their unique insights and leadership in rugby.
Welcome to the Coaching Knife when we cut to the root of the matter. In this episode, we speak to Nic Evans, L4 coach and former director of rugby for the Kings Cross Steelers.
Focusing on women's rugby, we are going to examine why there aren’t more women coaches coaching both men's and women's rugby.
Nic is a former head of PE, director of sport, and then lecturer and programme manager in higher education. She played rugby for Wales, is an L4 coach and coached the King Cross Steelers as the DoR of the very first gay and inclusive club in London.
She is also an experienced sevens coach, working with Wooden Spoon and head coach of Lions 7s.