FEMALE PARENT-COACH EXPERIENCES COACHING DAUGHTERS IN YOUTH SPORTByCassandra J. Coble The purposes of this study were to examine the experiences of mothers who enter the role of parent-coach. Using Eccles Expectancy Value Model of Achievement-Related Choices (1991, 1998, 2004) and Model of Parental Influences (1998) as a framework, three research questions were addressed: (a) What are the factors that motivate female parents to coach youth sports; (b) What are the experiences female parent-coaches have within youth sports; and (c) What are the factors related to the withdrawal of female parent-coaches from the position of youth sport parent-coach. Ten mothers who were coaching their daughters were interviewed. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed by three researchers using content analysis procedures. Results revealed nine general dimensions including entry into coaching, enjoyment, value associated with coaching, goals as a coach, positive aspects of coaching, negative aspects of coaching, challenges, perceived differences between male and female coaches, and reasons for discontinuation. The results indicated mothers experience both positive and negative feelings related to coaching and occasionally perceive a bias from players, parents, and coaches related to their gender. Experiences mothers have as children appear to influence the experiences they have as coaches as well as the activities they choose to socialize their daughters in to.
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