This study aimed to identify the experiences of female physiotherapists working in professional men’s rugby union. Guided by LaVoi’s (2016) socioecological model, which has been previously utilised to highlight the barriers of female coaches, the individual, interpersonal, organisational, and sociocultural barriers encountered by these therapists were explored to describe their workplace experiences and the impact this had on their entry into and continued involvement in men’s professional rugby union.
Following ethical permission (HREC 199 /2023), a phenomenological qualitative study utilising semi structured interviews was employed. Purposeful criterion sampling was used to identify potential participants who met the inclusion criteria. Twelve physiotherapists, who had worked on average of 5.3 years in professional rugby, participated. The interviews which took place on Microsoft Teams, were recorded, transcribed and anonymised for analysis. A deductive thematic analysis was done using NVivo. An initial list of codes was developed applied to the four levels of Lavois’ socioecological model used as a framework for this study. The codes were checked and refined by the research team.
Thematic analysis established 10 higher order themes relating to barriers for participants entry into and continued involvement into men’s professional rugby. As individuals, the physiotherapists noted significant personal sacrifices which affected their work-life balance and negatively impacted on personal relationships. At an interpersonal level, a lack of female role models in rugby union was highlighted. Organisationally, participants faced significant challenges describing inadequate policies, particularly around maternity leave and family obligations. They were often overlooked and dismissed for roles they could take on. At the societal level, barriers emerged relating to traditional gender roles, gender power dynamics and gender stereotypes within their team set ups.
While strides have been taken to encourage gender equality in many professional sports, and in particularly rugby union, female physiotherapists are still discriminated against. Many of these microaggressions are veiled behind normative behaviours in men’s sport but still influence how females pursue employment in these environments and what they are subjected to within the role. Entrance into these roles is controlled largely by men and opportunities for career development are inhibited by a lack of workplace policy and gender power dynamics.
Sporting codes need to improve their structures to better support and retain female physiotherapists, negating the masculine norm within certain sporting disciplines. Female physiotherapists are as capable as their male counterparts of fulfilling these roles and should be presented with equal opportunities to do so.
Barriers
Socioecological Framework
