The global growth of triathlon is reflected not only in the increase of athletes and international competitions, but also in the conversations beginning to emerge around those who build the sport from beyond the racecourse. The latest update of the World Triathlon study on women coaches offers a much broader and deeper look into the reality experienced by female coaches within the discipline, exposing both the progress achieved and the barriers that still persist in leadership and high-performance spaces.
The research significantly expanded its scope compared to the 2025 study, growing from 127 responses across 55 countries to a global sample of 715 participants, including both female and male coaches. Beyond the numbers, the report brings forward issues that cut across contemporary sport: inequality of opportunities, gender perception, access to education, and safeguarding within sporting environments. The study also reflects how many women have built their careers through practical experience, sustaining coaching and sporting pathways in contexts that still present major structural challenges.
The experience and commitment of women coaches in global triathlon
One of the report’s most significant aspects is the profile it paints of female triathlon coaches. Far from certain stereotypes, most are highly experienced women, deeply connected to the sport and with extensive backgrounds both as athletes and coaches. According to the study, many have spent more than two decades involved in triathlon and possess nearly 14 years of coaching experience, while also remaining actively engaged in competition.
The research also challenges traditional perceptions associated with women’s roles in sport. Contrary to the belief that family-work balance is the main difficulty, many coaches identified the limited access to high-performance opportunities as their greatest obstacle. Added to this is the persistence of gender-based perceptions, with nearly half of the female coaches reporting that they felt treated differently — or were unsure whether they had experienced unequal treatment. At the same time, the study highlights that many of these professionals entered coaching through hands-on experience and practical pathways rather than traditional academic structures.
Structural differences and ongoing challenges in sport
The report also compared the experiences of female and male coaches, revealing significant differences in workload, access to resources, and perceptions of recognition. While male coaches reported longer weekly working hours and a more positive perception of financial compensation, women more frequently expressed feeling only partially valued and having less access to competitive development opportunities. Many female coaches work primarily in person, mainly train female athletes, and conduct fewer annual training camps due to structural and financial limitations.
Differences also emerge when analyzing the realities between developed federations and those still growing. In countries with more established structures, women coaches tend to have access to more professionalized environments, larger coaching teams, and greater educational opportunities. In emerging federations, however, many coaches must balance coaching with other jobs while taking on multiple responsibilities within sports organizations. In response to this reality, World Triathlon has identified strengthening mentorship programs, expanding support networks, accessible education, and the development of safeguarding policies as future priorities, recognizing that the sustainable growth of triathlon also depends on ensuring more equitable and safer spaces for those leading the sport every day.
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