Coaches, teammates, managers, and volunteers all help shape the opportunities available within a sports club. Men in these roles can contribute to gender equality through everyday decisions: whose ideas receive attention, who is offered responsibility, and how achievements are recognised.
GENDERWISE includes “Men as Allies” among its educational themes, recognising the importance of involving men in efforts to support women’s participation and leadership in sport. Meaningful support requires listening, examining existing practices, and following through on commitments.
Listening to Women’s Experiences
Supporting gender equality begins with understanding the experiences of women within the organisation. Athletes, coaches, and staff may identify barriers that others have not noticed, from inconvenient meeting schedules to unequal access to development opportunities.
Men can contribute by listening carefully and taking these perspectives seriously. Asking what would help is useful when it leads to discussion and action.
Women should have a direct role in shaping decisions that affect them. An ally can help create space for their contribution while respecting their expertise and priorities.
Sharing Opportunities Fairly
Everyday choices can influence who gains experience and becomes prepared for future leadership. Leading an activity, attending a training course, or representing a club at an event can provide valuable opportunities to develop.
Coaches and managers can review how these responsibilities are allocated. Clear criteria and open announcements make it easier for interested participants to put themselves forward.
Men who already hold responsibility can also support colleagues by sharing information, recognising their work, and recommending qualified women for opportunities. These actions should reflect the person’s abilities and interests.
Responding to Stereotypes
Comments about women’s suitability for coaching or leadership can shape a club’s culture, especially when they go unchallenged. Men can help establish respectful expectations by addressing such remarks when they occur.
A response may involve questioning an assumption, pointing to the relevant skills, or reminding colleagues of the organisation’s standards. The approach should fit the situation and any applicable reporting procedures.
Consistent behaviour matters. Respectful language and fair treatment should be reflected in training sessions, meetings, informal conversations, and online communication.
Using Influence Responsibly
People in established positions often have greater access to decision-makers and professional networks. That influence can help make opportunities more accessible.
A club manager might ensure that women are included in discussions about programme development. An experienced coach could support a colleague’s access to training or provide a fair recommendation for a role.
In meetings, allies can acknowledge where an idea originated and help ensure that its author receives credit. They can also notice interruptions and invite a speaker to finish her contribution.
These are practical ways to support participation while keeping women’s own voices central.
Supporting Development Through Mentoring
Mentoring can provide space to discuss professional goals, explore challenges, and understand how an organisation works. Men serving as mentors should approach the relationship with clear expectations and respect for the participant’s ambitions.
Useful support might include feedback on a proposal, an introduction to a relevant professional, or guidance on preparing for a new responsibility. The participant should have a say in the goals and direction of the relationship.
Mentors should also be willing to reflect on their assumptions and learn from the person they support. A productive exchange recognises the knowledge and experience each person brings.
Looking at Club Practices
Individual support has greater value when it is accompanied by attention to organisational decisions. Clubs can examine access to facilities, training opportunities, selection processes, and representation in leadership.
Men involved in these decisions can help ask relevant questions: Are opportunities advertised openly? Are selection criteria clear? Have athletes and staff been consulted about arrangements that affect them?
Agreeing on specific actions, assigning responsibility, and reviewing progress makes support easier to assess. Feedback from women within the club can help show whether changes are useful in practice.
How GENDERWISE Contributes
GENDERWISE supports young female athletes aged 14 to 26 through educational resources, digital learning opportunities, and mentoring. Its educational themes connect individual skills development with broader questions about participation and leadership in sport.
The “Men as Allies” theme provides an opportunity to explore how men can contribute through cooperation, fair decisions, and responsible use of their influence.
For BRAVO, promoting gender equality involves engaging the people who shape sporting environments. Listening to women and acting on identified barriers can help turn support into practical opportunities for participation and development.
MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
GENDERWISE is a 30-month initiative funded under the Erasmus+ Sport programme, bringing together seven partners from six European countries. The project promotes gender equality in sport and supports dual careers for young female athletes through educational resources, online learning, and mentoring.
Stay tuned as BRAVO continues sharing GENDERWISE activities and perspectives on creating more inclusive opportunities for young women in sport.
#BRAVO #BRAVOBIH #MAKETHEWORLDWONDER #ERASMUSPLUS
