Assessing sport coaches’ gender beliefs: Development and preliminary validation of the girls-centred coaching self-efficacy scale (GCSES)

Coaches play a critical role in shaping girls’ sport experiences; however, limited empirical attention has been paid to coaches’ confidence in recognizing the influence of gender beliefs within their practice. Despite growing calls for gender-responsive and gender transformative coaching, no validated measure currently exists to broadly assess coaches’ gender-related self-efficacy and more specifically within this concept, girl-centred coaching self-efficacy. The purpose of this study was to develop and provide preliminary validation evidence for the Girls-Centred Coaching Self-Efficacy Scale (GCSES) that is grounded in self-efficacy theory, the Coaching Efficacy Model, and informed by feminist and critical sport scholarship. Scale development followed established methodological guidelines. An initial pool of 87 items was generated through theory-driven item construction, coach focus groups ( n = 20), expert review ( n = 6), and cognitive interviews with coaches ( n = 4). The revised instrument, including 31 items, was administered to 216 sport coaches ( M coaching experience = 14.4 years). Exploratory factor analysis supported a 4-factor structure reflecting coaches’ confidence in (1) gender literacy in coaching, (2) understanding gendered sport experiences, (3) fostering gender-inclusive sport, and (4) girl-centred coaching practices. The model accounted for 54.9% of total variance, with strong internal consistency across subscales ( α = .80–.92). Findings provide initial evidence that the GCSES is a psychometrically sound instrument for assessing girl-centred coaching self-efficacy. The scale offers researchers and coach practitioners a context-specific tool to evaluate and strengthen initiatives aimed at advancing gender transformative coaching practice.