In my broad interest in many sports, I am frequently exposed to examples of gender inequity. Some of the more obvious situations that illustrate this include the following.
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At the last Olympic Games our men’s basketball team travelled business class while our female team travelled in economy.
I am told that some of the Matildas, our national soccer team, have had to draw on the dole to support themselves while preparing for international competitions. We therefore have to wonder if that is why Ellyse Perry gave up pursuing international soccer and has successfully gained selection in the Southern Stars Australia women’s cricket team.
The Diamonds, our national netball team, currently the world champions and Commonwealth gold medal holders struggle for sponsorship and press coverage in our Australasian competition.
For the dinosaurs and hardliners that might argue that the rewards go to the best and most successful – this just doesn’t hold water! Withholding funding, whether it be government grants or sponsorship, and the failure of the public to give their support by putting bums on seats not only holds back women’s sport, but cuts off circulation and stifles further development.
The well publicised decision by the Australian government that requires sporting organisations to use funding provided in a gender equal way, is a welcome initiative at the policy level. Certainly though, there has been some enlightening improvements at the organizational level. In cricket there has been equal billing for twenty20 matches between India and Australia, and of course the sharing of the national cricket awards presentation by both men and women.
There are also some other bright lights on the horizon. Swimming, athletics and triathlon seem to treat men and women equally and the men’s and women’s hockey teams that consistently enjoy world level success, appear to be both well supported. Although men and women Australian cyclists both have international success, coverage of men’s cycling, particularly on the road, is very much male dominated.
Sport is a very important pillar of Australian culture and our female athletes consistently compete with success at top world level. It is such a shame that we, collectively, starve their potential to achieve the success they (and us as a nation) deserve by failing to recognise and adequately resource their efforts.