Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in Basque sport organisations and clubs

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray Avento Consultoría Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in Basque sport organisations and clubs Sidney, 21st May, 2010 Photo: mikebaird, http://www.flickr.com/photos/mikebaird/3036395469/

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray This research study has been funded by Emakunde-Basque Women Institute Itziar Alonso-Arbiol University of the Basque Country Ainhoa Azurmendi Avento Consultoria S.L . Isabel Cuadrado University of Almeria

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray
Sport is a reflection of society
Educational and social determining factors
Sports federations traditionally masculine
Basque Country: political structure and sports competences
1. Introduction Photo: vernhart, http://www.flickr.com/photos/vernhart/1002749074/

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 2. Rationale Federation Licenses in Spain Source: Spanish National Sports Council 2006 2008 Women 583.275 Men 2.528.475 Total 3.111.750 Women 683.768 Men 2.711.066 Total 3.394.834

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray Presidences of Spanish sports federations Federations: Ice sports, Golf, Petanque, Salvage and Lifesaving Federations: Ice sports, Petanque, Salvage and Lifesaving Source: Spanish National Sports Council 2006 2008 Women 4 Men 61 Total 65 Women 3 Men 62 Total 65

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray Source: Sports Headship of the Basque Government Presidences of Basque sports federations 2006 Women 15 Men 172 Total 187

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray Presidences and geographical distribution Basque Adapted Sports, Mountain, Surf Álava Fencing, Golf, Equestrian sports, Basque games and sports, Tennis, Triathlon Gipuzkoa Subaqua activities, Gymnastics, Hockey Bizkaia Handball, Fencing, Gymnastics

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 3. Aims of the study
To know the specific mechanisms impeding progress and involvement of women in sports managing positions (“glass ceiling”)
To identify individual and social resources to overcome obstacles in the sports managing career
To analyse the relationship between women being at presidential positions and the increase in policies to favor sportswomen participation
To investigate the existence (if there is) of a different leadership style –feminine management style- among female sports management in The Basque Country
Photo: Karthick R, http://www.flickr.com/photos/rkarthick/4286629769/

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 4. Description of the study 4.1 Procedure : Detection, contact and interview arrangement 4.2 Sample : 16 female presidents (13 federations + 3 clubs) 4.3 Methodology : In-deph interviews, triangulation of data

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray ID / AGE FEDERATION / CLUB EDUCATION / JOB POSITION FAMILY SITUATION M. R. (34) Araba Federation of Basque Games and Sports Secretary Married, 2 children (just born) A. U. (54) Athletic Club of Bilbao (former) Lawyer + estate agent Married, 1 son and 1 daughter (adults) living outside M.R.S. (49) Araba Federation of Riding PhD in Fine Arts. Unemployed Married, 2 sons (adolescents) L. V. (38) Bizkaia Federation of Fencing Luthier Cohabiting I. L. (38) Bizkaia Federation of Gymnastics B.A. in Sociology + M.A. Sport Psychology Married, 3 children J. V. (49) Araba Federation of Fencing Secretary Cohabiting N. A. (53) Hondarribia-Irun Basketball Management assistant- Secretary / now retired Married, 2 sons/ daughters (adults) living outside O. G. (23) Ermua Basque Ball (“Pelota”, a Rural Sport) Two Superior formative cycles Works in a Professional Training Center Living with her parents

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray ID / AGE FEDERATION / CLUB EDUCATION / JOB POSITION FAMILY SITUATION A. J. (40) Basque Federation of Mountain B.A. in Sociology / Businesswoman Cohabiting S. E. (34) Gipuzkoa Federation of Hockey B.A. in Law / Lawyer Cohabiting C. B. (56) Bizkaia Federation of Handball Accountant in a company / now retired Married (adult sons and daughters) M. B. (49) Araba Federation of Golf Lecturer (University) Married (a son who lives in another house) L. N. (59) Araba Federation of Tennis Basic education Married (an adult son and an adult daughter living on their own) I. B. (28) Basque Federation of Surf B.A. in Law + 2 M.A Cohabiting B. I. (53) Gipuzkoa Federation of Gymnastics B.A. in Nursery – housewife Married (adult sons/daughters) P. D. (41) Basque Federation of Adapted Sports B.A. in Educational Sciences / educator at an association of handicapped people Married (adult son)

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 5 . Results “ Glass ceiling indicators” Work and family burdens (lack or no interference): timetable distribution “ Meetings: when now the Provincial Council […] says… that there are no women, that we have to motivate them, whatever… then I tell them: […] but, have you realised at what time you set the meeting?... —and he tells me: at half past seven—… but, do you think we women can come at half past seven?” Photo: Miss Loisy, http://www.flickr.com/photos/loisy/256473608/

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 5 . Results “ Glass ceiling indicators” Masculine atmosphere is not appealing: loneliness feeling “ And suddenly they invite you to a lot of things [events]… and I say to myself: Oh, my God!, I don’t want to go, because I usually feel so lonely… They are all men, I’m not interested in those conversations, they are all about… […] Then, I’ve always felt… especially at the beginning, […] I’ve felt out of place in those situations…” Photo: Inti, http://www.flickr.com/photos/inti/375546177/

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 5 . Results “ Glass ceiling indicators” Masculine atmosphere is not appealing : sexist and unfortunate comments Photo: StuSeeger, http://www.flickr.com/photos/stuseeger/2419667515/ “… and he says…, (I was the only woman there)… […] Let’s finish now, we will have to arrange another meeting because ‘Mary’ is here and she has to prepare dinner for her husband and sons…”

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 5 . Results “ Glass ceiling” indicators High resistance in organisations where there is tight competition in taking power or influence heights: women have to demonstrate they are good professionals when dealing with more conservative positions

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 5 . Results Breaking the “ glass ceiling ”? Lack of real ceiling: organisations that are not appealing for men (sports mainly practised by women, where there is neither remuneration nor associated profits) “ I’m not paying attention if this (John Doe ) is talking to the other one, doing business, with businessmen who are there or with politicians, or even… all those things are pure business… this is what all of this is about… […] Most of them go there to do business.” Photo: Michelle Brea, http://www.flickr.com/photos/itsallaboutmich/446084326/

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 5 . Results Breaking the “ glass ceiling ”? Walking on the edge of the “glass cliff” “ There was a president, a man, and he was a complete disaster… […] they made him resign because he did a shortfall… Then he resigned; he resigned and we started a period… and I standed for the office again, no one else took part.” Photo: Michael Sarver, http://www.flickr.com/photos/michaelsarver/13243452/

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 5 . Results Individual and personal characteristics of female presidents They are women who… -…are highly educated and with qualification (in most cases) -…know the sport in depth (they’ve done it, have been coach or referee/umpire) -…have a strong character and they cope with difficult situations very well -…use “common sense” in their daily management -…consider themselves as pragmatic people -…have excellent communicative skills -…have a special ability to organise wisely people they have around

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 5 . Results Some social and structural elements that facilitate the involvement of women : -Equality philosophy is gaining popularity (politically correct, but…) -Support from close (male) mates who know their abilities and qualities -Existence of a collaborating team on which they may rely for making decisions -(They are) supported by family and partners Photo: The Library of Congress’ photostream, http://www.flickr.com/photos/library_of_congress/2162906635/

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 5 . Results Leadership style : -A democratic leadership style in most cases: delegate, collaborate and listen (to others) when making a decision -Relationship-oriented leadership style: seeking subordinates’ well-being Photo: artzubi, http://www.flickr.com/photos/artzubi/4290832717/

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 5 . Results Promotion of policies to promote sportswomen participation: Most of them are in favour of implementing some measures and are aware of the fact that women have not been in the field due to family burden and to the distance between men and women in practising sports Photo: Frank Westefled, http://www.flickr.com/photos/frank_wuestefeld/4535211481/

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray 6. C onclusions
Participation mainly in sports that aren’t socially and economically relevant; in more influent sports and federations: exceptional women and “modernity” image
There are still are lots of invisible barriers; management in sports: spare time and volunteer activity taking place during evenings and weekends
-From “glass ceiling” to “glass cliff”
-Leadership style —more democratic and relationship-oriented— and feminine-type management — pragmatism—

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in basque sport organisations and clubs 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport Ainhoa Azurmendi Echegaray [email_address] http://www.aventoconsultoria.com Thank you

Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in Basque sport organisations and clubs

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Women in managing positions: the case of female presidents in Basque sport organisations and clubs — Presentation Transcript