A qualitative research on exploring candidate sport managers' awareness of gender equality in sport

Abstract

Gender-based issues in sports have been well identified, particularly regarding women's representation in the field. However, there is a paucity of case studies that examine how and why prospective sports managers take the existing patriarchal environment for granted. In this study, the researcher, as a counsellor of prospective sports managers at their school of study, organised an extra-curricular online seminar on gender in sports after 12 weeks of routine counselling sessions and collected reflection notes from participants after the seminar. The research adopted the theoretical framework of spatial justice. It revealed that many spatial injustices, such as the normalisation of sexist language and male dominance, the gendering of sports branches, inequality in the distribution of resources, and women's struggle for equality, are taken for granted by prospective sports administrators. Although the seminar conducted within the scope of the research has made the participants aware of these injustices, it is unclear whether this awareness can turn into attitudes and behaviours. Gender equality in sports policies is rarely addressed within the framework of spatial justice issues. However, the findings obtained within the scope of the research suggest that injustice should be scrutinised to ensure gender equality in sport management. This study provides empirical, methodological, and practical contributions to the knowledge of achieving gender equality in sport management. The study emphasises the need to address spatial justice issues through a gender equality lens when shaping sports policies and providing training in sports management.