A Historical Perspective on the Development of Female Football Coaches in South Africa

South Africa is in its 26th year of democracy, and in this time, there has been a tremendous shift in the structural, economic, and political space within which sport is situated. As a nation, there is a proud history of participation in elite international sporting events, boasting numerous Olympic medals, winning the Rugby World Cup competition multiple times, and, in 2010, being the first country on the African continent to host the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup. Whilst these accolades are commendable, showing a nation that is resilient and adaptable to a sport's frenetic population, the development of women's sport is protracted as they fight against a deeply patriarchal society, often limiting the opportunities afforded to them. This chapter discusses the international trends in women's football, the history of sport during the apartheid and post-apartheid eras, challenges female coaches face, alongside the status quo and coach education within the South African context. Governmental policy interventions, the mandate for structuring a coach education system as well as the newly established professional body for sport coaches, outline the backdrop against which female football coaches have emerged. The implications are discussed within the context of coach education and, specifically, women football coaches.