An analysis of the multi-level factors affecting the coaching of elite women athletes

Figures & data

Table 1. Identified themes and example quotations.

Level of analysis	Themes	Example Quotation
Macro	Cultural norms and gender ideologies (non-sporting)	In countries like the Netherlands we have more normal [environment]. Men and women can do the same stuff. [If you are a female] in Italy, if you graduate from high school there are three things you can do, either marry, get a job, or study. In the end you are always married. So [in Italy] there is a very “traditional” way of looking at things (Coach 7)
	Cultural norms and gender ideologies (sporting)	Egypt that has decent rowing [programme] but a weak women’s programme and according to me, women in general there are a kind of extra to the men. Basically, you can tell that in countries where there is an open culture, teams work together, like in New Zealand, then women’s rowing is strong (Coach 8)
Meso	Financial investment in supporting female athletes	In Italy it’s a profession. [Male] rowers they get paid either by the state or they get paid by a club, but only boys because they are not interested in women rowers (Coach 7)
Micro	No gender difference – coach the individual	I don’t think there are great differences in coaching men and women, it’s about how you approach the individual (Coach 4)
	Retention of female athletes	Maybe men just want to be coached more and maybe women have had enough after a certain amount of time and they do something else like having children. I always say you have to know what you want to achieve, you have to know what you must do and then you have to decide if it is worth it. If it is too much then you quit – both male and female. If you’re not willing to sacrifice things that need to be done to get your goal you’re wasting time and maybe (I’m just guessing) men is willing to sacrifice more (Coach 1)