The sport industry has long operated on structures and systems that werent built for women, especially not for those working behind the scenes as leaders, coaches, developers, or support staff. While progress has been made, too many women still face invisible barriers, cultural bias and professional compromise simply for existing in spaces that werent designed with them in mind.
Women Working in Sport offers a fresh, unapologetic lens on these challenges and moves decisively toward solutions. Through the voices of coaches, psychologists, administrators, academics and directors, this book sheds light on whats holding women back and more importantly, how we move forward.
Each chapter is a conversation, a lived experience and a call to action offering not just critique but real insight for organisations serious about equity, wellbeing and performance.
For policy-makers, system leaders and anyone shaping the future of sport, this is more than a book. Its a practical resource, a challenge to the status quo, and a roadmap toward building environments where women not only work they thrive.
Introduction: Breaking boundaries: Celebrating women who transform
sport
1. The first but more to follow
2. A sophomore mentality
3. Callary on coaching
4. Indian disability sport: Thriving through adversity
5. Embrace the challenge
6. Key tools for life discipline & curiosity
7. Its all about the challenges you see, the mindsets and wardrobes you
choose
8. Woman, life, freedom
9. Acorns and oak trees
10. Remember that bravery is not the lack of fear but the ability to
move forward in spite of fear
11. Develop enough courage so that you can stand up for yourself and
then stand up for somebody else Maya Angelou
12. You cant play rugby, its a boys sport
13. Questioning the Norms, Encouraging Change, and Strengthening the
Path
14. Sexisim in sport smile more
15. The ripple effect the power of inspiring stories
Jen Coe is an advocate of greater gender equity and inclusivity in sport and is dedicated to promoting well-being across the sporting landscape. With over two decades of experience working in high performance environments, she champions a culture of performance through well-being in her work with organisations and individuals. Jen has worked from grassroots to elite level across a portfolio of sports, in roles such as coaching, analysis, coach development and sport psychology. She currently works within the womens professional game in football as the Performance Well-being Lead an exciting role and key to supporting the players journey into, through and after professional sport.
Dr Amy. E Whitehead, PhD, CPsychol, HCPC is Reader (Associate Professor) in Sport Psychology and Coaching at Liverpool John Moores University. Dr Whitehead is a sport and exercise psychologist accredited with the British Psychological Society and is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council. Dr Whitehead delivers sport psychology support and coach development to a range of athletes and coaches, and also brings this work into her teaching in the classroom.
