Women from Culturally Diverse Backgrounds in Sport Leadership: A Scoping Review of Facilitators and Barriers

Abstract

Women from culturally diverse backgrounds are underrepresented in sport leadership, often experiencing increased oppression and discrimination based on intersectionality. The aim of our paper was to scope the literature for facilitators and barriers that exist for women from culturally diverse backgrounds in sport leadership. Four databases with no limits on publication date were searched. A total of 1,838 articles were retrieved and screening revealed 12 eligible peer-reviewed journal articles. The review identified a dominant focus from the USA on experiences of Black or African American women, in basketball coaching or athletic director roles in college athletic departments. Key facilitators and barriers were entwined within four themes including personal characteristics, interpersonal support, organisational support and discrimination. Topics evolved from these themes to create a future research agenda.