Money, family and sexism: why the number of women coaches is dropping

Despite recent on-pitch successes and increased media exposure for women's sport in the UK, the number of women working as coaches is declining, according to BBC Sport.

The report points to a combination of factors behind the trend, including financial pressures, family responsibilities, and sexism within coaching environments, which together continue to act as major barriers for women pursuing coaching careers.

A gap between playing and coaching success

The decline comes even as women's sport in the UK has seen growing visibility and success on the field, highlighting a disconnect between the progress made in playing opportunities and the structural challenges that remain in coaching pathways.

The report does not provide specific figures on the scale of the decline, but frames it as an ongoing concern for the future of women's sport in the country.