Coaching and Athletic Career Investments: Using organisational theories to explore women's boxing

Abstract

The following paper explores the extent to which women choose to invest in the sport of boxing, the ways coaches perceive women in boxing, and whether these perceptions influence coaches’ decisions in training female boxers. Human capital theory and statistical discrimination theory are applied to the sport of female boxing to better understand women's participation in the sport, and the gendered expectations coaches have for women in the sport. In‐depth interview data with boxers and coaches were analysed in relation to these theories. Findings suggest that while women are willing to invest in their personal athletic careers, coaches are hesitant to invest time and training in female boxers because of the boxers’ current or expected family obligations. This research has important implications for women's participation in male‐dominated leisure activities, like boxing, and the conflict that arises between family and leisure obligations.