Abortion, a decision for the woman or a matter of politics.

Women in Sport.

The saying “I can do anything better than you” can no longer be used in sports. Women are discriminated against in many sports and so fewer women are entering sport as a profession. There should be more money, TV coverage; acknowledgement of women’s sports and harassment problems should be stopped.

Most problems arise due to gender equity. Football coaches have been recorded viewing their fears about money being diverted to women’s sports so that men’s teams receive less. It is people like this who stop money helping to promote female sports. Problems also occur when mixed teams play and women worry for their safety. Hockey is often seen as a female sport yet when males play some women find it hard to play with/against them because of their extra power and often aggression. It is hard to say no to playing a mixed game so some females will stop completely. Resolving this would require further rules being set about the team/opposition’s gender, age and standard of play.

Sexual harassment of women’s sports writers is far from unique. Trivial and serious events all add to the incriminating list: sending a rat in a pink box to a writer; running a razor up a lady’s leg; hitting women with jockstraps; and having obscenities shouted at journalists. These may seem like fun and harmless jokes but the women can be physically and mentally scarred. Women in sports broadcasting and reporting also face discrimination in the predominantly male dominated profession. Problems occur over locker room access and lewd remarks often made in a mocking female voices. One player once exposed himself to a female reporter and fellow team members stood and cheered. This type of behaviour should not be acceptable.

Over coming homophobia is another big challenge if we want more women to partake in sporting activities. 46% of athletes and 51% of athletic coaches said their involvement in athletics led people to believe they were lesbians. Such accusations are hindering the attraction and retention of women who have sporting ability and all due to the fact they probably have a muscular body perfect for such events.

The salaries offered to coaches of women’s teams are also deterring people from entering the profession. Last year in American basketball women’s coaches were paid an average $39,177 whereas men were paid $71,511. The vast difference in wages within the same sport is appalling and even in female dominated sports such as gymnastics the male salaries are still a lot larger.

This problem with salaries is mainly because of TV coverage and fees. When was the last time your saw a match of netball on the television or a game of hockey? The television is drawn to male orientated sports such as football and rugby because that is what the viewers are used to - or is it all they know? The only time British TV has ever seen a netball/female hockey match was during the Commonwealth games in 2002 so people do not know whether they would enjoy it or not! The audience should be given the choice.

There is some hope for women’s sports as there are many who have led the way such as Denise Lewis, Martina Navratalova and Tracey Neville. At the Virginia Military Institute where women comprise just six percent of 1,324 cadets, the first women’s sports (soccer) team has been made. But women’s sport should be given more of a chance – what do you think?