The development of women's track & field in New Zealand

Abstract

This research was being undertaken at a time when women's track and field athletics was undergoing rapid change and development on the World sporting scene. The aim of this study was to examine what has so far been achieved by women track and field athletes in New Zealand. In order to achieve this aim, four main areas of concern were examined in an historical study and statistical analysis supplemented by a survey questionnaire: the changes in the number of women competing in track and field; the standard of women's track and field; the number of women currently still active in coaching; the number of women involved in the administration of athletics. The main findings were: the total number of women athletes who were registered to compete dropped dramatically over the ten year period, from 1978 to 1987, especially in the younger age groups. The standards achieved by the first and fifth ranked female athletes, improved in some events and not in others, over the ten year period. It was found in the analysis of women's participation in coaching, that out of 30 only 17 were no longer actively involved in coaching and only six were intending to qualify to become a Level Three coach (highest level). For those women still actively coaching the major problem preventing them from becoming more involved in coaching , was the amount of time available. There has been an increase in the number of women involved in club, Centre and national administration, but many felt they needed greater support from their clubs and Centres. The findings from the data have highlighted a number of areas in which future research can and needs to be conducted.