Preliminary observations on the work-related experiences of non-heterosexual coaches in sport

With an increasing population of non-heterosexuals within the UK, their acceptance and inclusion within the workplace has become an important concern. Previous research in this area is binary in its approach and focused predominantly on singular categories of sexuality and gender, e.g., lesbian women. In response, this study included sports coaches of all gender identities that identify within the spectrum of non-heterosexuality (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, pansexual, etc. including those who do not use labels). The coaches in this study had an array of coaching experience and ranged from grassroots to elite level sport. The research explored intersecting identity characteristics, such as gender, race, religion, etc., in which the coaches emphasised that gender significantly impacted their experiences. Additionally, the various factors across interpersonal and organisational levels that shape coaches’ experiences were explored, including the attitudes and behaviour of athletes, parents, colleagues etc., and organisational culture, intending to contribute to understanding the experiences of minority groups within sports coaching, and how non-heterosexual individuals negotiate their identity within sport settings. Adopting a participatory research approach enabled coaches to play an active role within the research process, rather than solely being a source of information. The participants were able to participate through a variety of methods, including creative methods of their choice, or semi-structured interviews, to give voice to their experiences. The coaches’ knowledge and lived experiences were prioritised to inform necessary changes for improving the experiences of non-heterosexual individuals in the sports workforce or maintaining inclusive practices, through coproduced recommendations.