Women in Leadership and Organisational Change in Sport: A Critical and Intersectional Review

Abstract

The underrepresentation of women in leadership positions within the global sport industry remains a persistent and deeply entrenched challenge, despite decades of advocacy and the growing commercial and cultural prominence of women’s sport. This critical and intersectional review synthesises contemporary theoretical frameworks and empirical research to examine the complex dynamics of gender, power, and organisational change in sport. The review interrogates three established theoretical perspectives—transformational leadership, gendered organisations, and institutional change—and integrates intersectionality as a vital fourth lens to illuminate the diverse and compounded barriers faced by women from different backgrounds. The analysis demonstrates that women leaders are not merely subjects of exclusion but are active agents of organisational renewal, frequently introducing relational, ethical, and inclusive approaches that challenge entrenched hierarchies and foster adaptive change. However, their transformative potential is systematically constrained by structural barriers, cultural resistance, and the persistence of masculine-coded leadership ideals. Drawing on recent research, including studies on higher education pathways and leadership development programmes, this review formulates a set of evidence-based recommendations for sport organisations, higher education institutions, and aspiring women leaders. It concludes by proposing a multi-level model for transformative change that emphasises the need for simultaneous and coordinated action at the individual, organisational, and institutional levels to achieve genuine gender equity in sports leadership.