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RE: Thriving as a female in professional sport

Thomas, Gavin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4662-1588 (2021) RE: Thriving as a female in professional sport. The Sport and Exercise Scientist (68). p. 7. ISSN 1754-3444

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Abstract

While a large body of literature has examined the underrepresentation of women in coaching (see Prof. Norman’s work), investigations into the professional challenges facing women strength and conditioning (S&C) coaches have been limited. As such, the interview with Dr Lorena Torres-Ronda was a refreshing read. It provided an insider’s account of the social and cultural challenges faced during her journey to the ‘top’ of the profession.
When asked about S&C coach stereotypes, Lorena conveyed “you have to have big muscles and yell during the sessions!”. This highlights the masculinized association with the job. When women enter traditionally male-exclusive spaces, e.g., the weight room, it continues to threaten established male privilege and gender order.
This can often result in mansplaining being experienced, with men saying “Is she gonna know what to do with the weights?”. Consequently, Lorena noted she often over compensated to establish credibility. Feeling she had more to prove than her male counterparts and to demonstrate gender isn’t an issue. To help negotiate the social dynamics of a male dominated environment, the take-home message was “all of us” have a part to play to help females emerge as successful S&C coaches

Item Type: Article
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Uncontrolled Discrete Keywords: female, professional sport, gender, coaching
Subjects: H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Divisions: College of Business, Psychology and Sport > School of Sport and Exercise Science
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Depositing User: Gavin Thomas
Date Deposited: 02 Jun 2021 08:58
Last Modified: 02 Jun 2021 08:58
URI: https://eprints.worc.ac.uk/id/eprint/10533

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