The FA is committed to tackling homophobia in football and is working with two researchers to find out more about the football experiences of people from the gay, lesbian and bi-sexual communities.
The objective of the research is to frame future FA policy and activities which will encourage greater involvement in football from these groups.
The two areas of research are outlined below – if you fall into the audiences at whom the research is aimed, please get in touch with the researchers as below.
1. Gender and Coaching Study
This piece of research is being done by a lecturer and researcher from the Sports Coaching group within the Carnegie Faculty of Sport and Education at Leeds Metropolitan University.
There is a significant absence of women and minority groups within the coaching profession, and their voice in shaping the profession is often unheard. This research is a qualitative, women-centred examination of coaching cultures from the perspective of lesbian coaches from sports in the UK.
With this in mind, we are particularly interested to hear from lesbian coaches. To find out more email Dr. Leanne Norman by clicking here
2. Homophobic bullying in sport, with particular reference to the experience of bi-sexual athletes
This piece of research is being done by a PhD student at Brunel University and is a study on the specific experience of bi-sexual people in sport, within the broader context of homophobic bullying in sport.
It’s hoped the research will fill the current gap in the literature regarding bi-sexual experience in sporting spheres, where the focus is predominantly on the experience of gay and lesbian people. Research will be qualitative through detailed interviews with bi-sexual athletes, from whom we are interested to hear.
To find out more email Katie Maddocks by clicking here.