Gender (In)equality: A Longitudinal Analysis of Women's Participation in Coaching and Referee Positions in the Brazilian Women’s Basketball League (2010-2017)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the participation of women in coaching and referee positions in the Brazilian Women’s Basketball League, from the first edition of the championship (2010) to the present moment (2017). For this proposal, we analyzed the gender of the coaching staff and referee crews from all the matches played in this period. All data were collected from the official match reports, accessed at the League headquarters. The results showed that women represent 24% of the head coaches, and this proportion has remained stable over the past years. However, it was found that women’s participation as assistant coaches dropped from 88% (2010) to 34% (2017). Although, the participation actually increased for women in the positions of referee, umpire 1 and umpire 2, over the past seven years, these positions are still mostly occupied by men. A higher participation of women could be found in scorer and timekeeper positions, which also remained stable over the years. Although women's participation in sports, and specifically in elite Brazilian basketball, has been increasing in the last decades, the findings of this study showed that occupations for women, within basketball are still restricted to positions of less visibility. Men still mostly occupy the positions of leadership, as head coaches and referees. The results suggest the need for debate and proposals of policies, to promote female participation in different leadership positions in basketball.