National report examining systemic barriers for women in sport coaching uncovers top issues impacting retention

As women’s sports reach unprecedented levels of visibility, investment and participation, a new national report from USTA Coaching and Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport challenges one of the most persistent assumptions in sport leadership: that women leave coaching primarily because of family obligations.

“Women in Coaching: A Cross-Sport Collaboration,” developed in partnership with Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi and the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota, concludes that women’s attrition from coaching is driven less by personal choice and more by systemic workplace structures, including compensation, advancement pathways and work culture, that determine who can sustain a career in the profession.

Despite more than 50 years of expanded participation following Title IX and a strong pipeline of qualified women athletes, men continue to dominate coaching leadership roles across sports, highlighting a persistent disconnect between participation and leadership representation.

“This is not a mystery,” said Dr. Nicole M. LaVoi, Director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls & Women in Sport. “Across sports, the data show consistent patterns. When compensation structures, workplace norms and access to opportunity remain unchanged, outcomes remain unchanged. If we want different results, we must redesign the system, not the women.

Why This Matters Now

The report frames the issue not only as one of equity but also of organizational performance, talent retention and long-term growth.

Research cited in the report shows organizations that support women leaders report higher employee engagement, lower turnover and stronger collective intelligence. In a competitive sports marketplace, retaining diverse coaching talent is tied to long-term stability, the report states.

“Coaching is more complex and demanding than ever,” said Megan Rose, Managing Director and Head of Business Development & Operations for USTA Coaching. “If sport organizations want stability and innovation, they must address how coaching roles are structured and supported, not just how many women enter the pipeline. Recruitment without retention is not progress.”

The findings were informed in part by discussions at a cross-sport working summit held during the 2025 US Open, where women coaches, male allies and executives examined recurring structural challenges. Those conversations reinforced what decades of research have demonstrated: coaching outcomes are shaped by systems, not personal preference.

From Diagnosis to Action

The report outlines an evidence-informed framework for change, including leadership accountability, compensation transparency, inclusive access to professional networks, sustainable work expectations and modern facility standards.

USTA Coaching is already advancing many of these principles. Launched as a national platform to modernize coach education and professionalize coaching pathways, USTA Coaching provides flexible certification models, tiered development opportunities and structured support designed to strengthen access and retention.

Earlier this year, USTA Coaching introduced its inaugural Women in Coaching Cohort, a 10-month national leadership experience for 25 diverse women coaches across the tennis ecosystem. The program focuses on leadership development, financial literacy and career longevity – areas identified in the report as critical to sustaining women’s careers.

“The time for performative support has passed,” added Rose. “Sustaining women in coaching requires structural change, from pay equity and facilities to work culture and advancement. The future of sport depends on who we retain, not just who we recruit.”

The full report, Women in Coaching: A Cross-Sport Collaboration, is available now at USTACoaching.com.