Women Ice Hockey Officials and Gender Relations in Officiating By Madison Danford A thesis submitted in conformity with the requirements for the degree of Master of Science The Graduate Department of Exercise Sciences University of Toronto © Copyright by Madison Danford 2019 Women Ice Hockey Officials and Gender Relations in Officiating Madison Danford Master of Science Graduate Department of Exercise Sciences, University of Toronto 2019 Abstract This study explores the current experiences of women ice hockey officials in Canada. To guide my research, I applied a Critical Feminist Theory framework to data from document analyses, observations of hockey games and semi-structured interviews with women ice hockey officials from across Canada. The results show that women ice hockey officials face numerous challenges in obtaining higher certification levels and having opportunities to officiate higher level hockey games. The career paths and career contingencies for women ice hockey officials differ from their men colleagues due to the hegemonic structures that construct hockey as a masculine space, and as a result, these structures directly influenced the participating women’s ability to advance in officiating in Canada. The participants shared experiences of exclusion at sites of training and education, limitations to advancing, and disinvolvement such as quitting/dropping-out, and retirement. This study unpacks the complex tensions between the ‘love of the game’ and systemic hegemonic exclusion institutionally, and calls for policy and procedures to better support women ice hockey officials. ii Acknowledgments There are so many people I want to thank for making this thesis possible. First, thank you to all the participants who shared their knowledge, experiences and stories with me; this project would not have happened without your willingness to speak with me. To my supervisor, Dr. Peter Donnelly, thank you for your continuous guidance, support, patience and all the extra hours working through edits with me; I am forever grateful for the opportunity to learn from you. To my advisory committee, Dr. Simon Darnell and Dr. Margaret MacNeill, I am extremely appreciative for your kindness, support and direction throughout the process. Special thanks to the 40 Sussex crew who supported me every step of the way, especially Dr. Mike Dao for his advice, guidance and proof that the toughest moments will pass; I would not have done it without all of you constantly looking out for me. Finally, thank you to my family and friends – mom, dad, my sisters, Esten and my mentor, Bess Lennox for rooting for me, listening to me, and offering endless support constantly. Without the strong support I had, I would not have completed this thesis. Thank you. iii Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................ ii Acknowledgments ................................................................................................................ iii Tables ................................................................................................................................. vii Chapter One: Introduction..................................................................................................... 1 1.0 Personal Narrative....................................................................................................................1 1.1 Context ....................................................................................................................................2 1.2 Research Questions ..................................................................................................................5 1.3 Chapter Overview.....................................................................................................................6 Chapter Two: Literature Review ............................................................................................. 7 2.0 Introduction .............................................................................................................................7 2.1 Political and Historical Context .................................................................................................7 2.1.1 History: ........................................................................................................................................................ 8 2.2 Theoretical Framework ........................................................................................................... 10 2.2.1 Critical Feminist Theory ............................................................................................................................. 11 2.2.2 Socialist Feminism: .................................................................................................................................... 12 2.3 Review of Literatures.............................................................................................................. 14 2.3.1 Women in Positions of Power and Leadership: ........................................................................................ 14 2.3.2 Women in Positions of Power and Leadership in Sport: ........................................................................... 17 2.3.3 Sport Officials ............................................................................................................................................ 21 2.3.3.1 Women officials: ..................................................................................................................................... 21 2.3.3.2 Officials in General: ................................................................................................................................ 24 2.3.3.3 Violence and Harassment: ...................................................................................................................... 25 2.3.3.4 Dropping out........................................................................................................................................... 27 2.3.4 Careers: Paths, Patterns and Contingencies ............................................................................................. 28 2.3.4.1 Second Shift: ........................................................................................................................................... 30 2.4 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 32 Chapter Three: Methods ...................................................................................................... 33 3.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 33 3.1 Methods ................................................................................................................................ 33 3.2 Document analysis: ................................................................................................................ 33 3.3 Observations: ......................................................................................................................... 34 3.4 Interviews: ............................................................................................................................. 36 3.5 Conducting the Research ........................................................................................................ 37 3.5.1 Document analysis: ................................................................................................................................... 37 3.5.2 Observations/ fieldwork: ........................................................................................................................... 38 3.5.2.1 Actors observed – Officials: .................................................................................................................... 40 3.5.2.2 Actors observed – Spectators / fans ...................................................................................................... 40 3.5.2.3 Actors observed – Players: ..................................................................................................................... 41 iv 3.5.2.4 Actors observed – Coaches: ................................................................................................................... 41 3.5.3 Interviews – Participants: .......................................................................................................................... 41 3.5.4 Consent: ..................................................................................................................................................... 42 3.5.5 Procedure: ................................................................................................................................................. 43 3.6 Data Analysis.......................................................................................................................... 45 3.6.1 Data analysis procedure: ........................................................................................................................... 46 3.7 Ethical considerations: ............................................................................................................ 47 3.8 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................