The "cost of football": motherhood, coaching and work-family conflict

Purpose/RationaleThe gender-specific needs of employed female football players are now recognised, but it is more complex for female coaches. As such, this research aimed to document the experiences of elite female football coaches who are mothers as they navigate parenthood with paid work as a coach.Design/Methodology/Approach4 full-time, elite level mother-coaches took part in a semi-structured interview, analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and with the Ecological-Intersectional Model as a theoretical lens.FindingsProfessional mother-coaches in women's football in England report that they are exposed to several challenges. Mother-coaches felt pressure to choose their career over family, were perceived negatively by most colleagues, and highlighted the profession was unprepared for mothers. They relied on supportive individuals to navigate motherhood and coaching.Practical ImplicationsChange is needed at both interpersonal and organisational levels in the football industry to better support mother-coaches at an individual level. This could include practical support for mother-coaches such as work flexibility, childcare support for out of hours work, alongside wider acceptance of family life within the industry.Originality/ValueIn highlighting the experiences of professional women football coaches and motherhood, and the navigation work-family conflict, this insight can provide a starting point for appropriate policy change.