Power and biases: a male grassroots coach shares their story

The first of a new series with anonymous contributors. A grassroots male coach speaks about their experiences of power and bias within rugby.

I think there is always the perception that a male coach has played the game to a decent standard and knows the game in order to be able to coach. People have commented on regular occasions about how quiet I am while coaching, even questioning whether I’m actually coaching.

When I’ve been asked this question, I don’t really respond. If someone pushes the point I’ll probably ask them to reflect on the number of players in the group, the number of players grinning in the group, the number wanting to come back next time and the number willing to try something they don’t normally get a chance to try.

There’s been a perception that a coach that shouts alot is actively coaching. I think the shouty coach perception is shifting, and people can now see the positive experience their child is going through.

There’s also a perception that if training doesn’t look like “proper rugby” it’s not effective. This concept of what “proper rugby” is contains alot of biases around the activity, what it looks like, what it sounds like and who coaches it.

I always worry about doing a good job. I also worry about addressing people in a way they feel comfortable; do I call female players ladies, girls, women? This usually proves to be me just overthinking things.

The classic gender bias is assuming a female is the physio/team manager and not a coach, despite maybe having ‘COACH’ in very large writing.

I’ve seen it happen a few times. The female coach has very quickly spoken up and made it clear they’re a coach. It’s always done in a very friendly way, which seems to confuse the other person. I’ve actually seen worse bias from referees.

The other bias I’ve come across is the assumption that a female coach, that’s previously played, can’t have played at a decent level. They don’t appreciate how good the female game is.

I’d say I’m pretty quick to stamp out things. I once ran a camp with pro players, with mixed gender participants. One lad asked a girl, who kept dropping the ball: “why do you keep dropping it, are you a lesbian or something?” That got sorted straightaway!

I’ve experienced coaches trying to use their qualifications to prove a point or trying to use their coaching history over many years as proof of being “better”.

Coaching is a constant learning process so if someone suggests something different why not reflect on it and give it a go, or at least try a version that sits within your philosophy.

I’ve also experienced coaches using the phrase: “I’ve played for 40 years, so I know everything about coaching”. This is often used in order to get their way and sideline younger, keener, probably more qualified colleagues.

I also see this more when there’s a refereeing decision they don’t agree with and they try to prove their point through their experience.

As Aaron Walsh said, “when someone tells you they’ve coached 25 years, have they coached 25 years? Or 1 year 25 times?”

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