ABSTRACT
Youth and interscholastic sport have long been embedded in the development and growth of children in the United States. The benefits of participation in sport at this level have been documented along with the negative aspects linked to participation, indicating the opportunities for growth and enhancement of sport at this level. One aspect worthy of exploration is the gender disparity that exists, as, while there has been an increase in participation numbers for girls in sport, there has not been a similar increase in women in leadership positions in youth and high school sport. This chapter explores the socio-cultural aspects of sports in the United States that have influenced the growth of youth and high school sport participation for girls while also exploring factors that limit women in leadership positions at these levels. Using the ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1977), this chapter explores the individual, interpersonal, organizational, and socio-ecological contexts that influence participation in leadership positions for women in youth and high school sport as well as aspects that can address the disparity.
