Female sport coaches in UK have fallen by six percent since 2022, report finds

Sarina Wiegman, Manager of England celebrates with Alex Greenwood
-Credit:Getty Images


The number of female coaches in the UK has sharply decreased by six percent since 2022, a troubling new study highlights.

A YouGov survey, published by UK Coaching, indicates only 38 percent of current active coaches are female, a substantial drop from 44 percent just two years prior. The findings show women tend to coach "creative" sports such as dance and yoga, whereas men typically lead team sports, racket sports, and combat sports.

Lisa West, Women in Sport's head of policy, partnerships, and public affairs, said: "At least 50 per cent of coaches across sport should be female, but we know this is not yet the case and as this report highlights, the number of women in coaching roles is declining. At Women in Sport, we are determined to tackle the stubborn gender inequalities and institutional biases that hold women and girls back in sport – both as participants and in the workforce.

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“With support from Sport England, we are driving a growing movement and bringing about systemic change to create a more diverse coaching workforce that reflects lived experiences, supports those who are least active – often women and girls, and ensures the future generation of female coaches.”

The report—drawing on data from over 30,000 adults—also found that female coaches are significantly more likely to receive payment for their coaching than their male counterparts. A survey revealed that only 34% of female coaches were paid exclusively for their work, compared to a mere 13% of male coaches. The most significant hurdle for women was the cost of training and qualifications, with 37% identifying it as the primary issue.

In contrast, 34% of men found balancing work and home life to be the toughest challenge. However, there has been an overall increase in coaches being paid for their work, with the percentage rising from 38% in 2022 to 53% in 2024.