Gender Representation in Management and Coaching Roles in Sports: A Case Study of the Banja Luka Region

Abstract

This study investigates gender representation in management and coaching roles within sports organizations in the Banja Luka region, Bosnia and Herzegovina. The research aims to provide a detailed insight into the extent of women’s participation in decision-making roles and sports activities, revealing existing inequalities. A structured online questionnaire was distributed to 54 sports organizations from eight different types of sports to assess gender distribution in managerial, executive, and coaching roles. The results indicate that men overwhelmingly dominate management leadership positions, with 96.29% of managerial roles occupied by men and 62.9% of organizations having no women in management leadership. Similarly, 52.8% of the clubs do not employ any female coaches. Only 11.1% of organizations reported having policies addressing gender equality, reflecting the absence of formal mechanisms to address these disparities. The findings emphasize persistent barriers, including stereotypes and organizational culture, that hinder the inclusion of women in leadership and coaching roles. This study highlights the need for targeted interventions, including policy changes and educational efforts, to promote gender equality in sports organizations in the region.