Skip to main content
The Morning Star 2026 Conference
Rabbatts blasts lack of women in sport
Number of football coaches ’alarmingly small‘

HEATHER RABBATTS yesterday slammed the Football Association due to the lack of female coaches and women sitting on club boards.

Rabbatts was appointed to the FA board in 2012 but is still the only woman, with the other 11 being men.

Hearts owner Ann Budge, West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady and Hibs chief executive Leeann Dempster are some of the more high-profile women that work at board level, while there are hardly any top women managers and coaches, Hope Powell being the exception.

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
Premier League signage
Mental Health / 23 September 2025
23 September 2025
Detroit Prowl's Toya Shinaul, from left to right, Kelly Bernadyn, Sydney Hebel, Jasmine Hamilton and Allie Gorcyca walk out for the coin toss at the start of an AWFL women's football game against the Lansing Legacy, in Allen Park, Mich., Saturday, May 10, 2025
Tackle Football / 24 June 2025
24 June 2025

LARRY LAGE writes about the growth of tackle football and how it provides female athletes opportunities in a game previously dominated by men

Rainbow corner flags in support of the Stonewall campaign before the Championship match at John Smith's Stadium, Huddersfield
Participation / 1 May 2025
1 May 2025

Supreme Court ruling prompts sporting bodies to redefine eligibility by biological sex