Women in Sport International Blog

The University of Alberta Cuts Women's Field Hockey Without Warning

2012-03-04T18:17:00.001-05:00

Jana G. Purden of the Edmonton Journal reports that the University of Alberta has cut its women's field hockey program. The decision was made without warning to team coaches or players.

The University of Alberta coach Stefanie Sloboda commented that the decision to cut the sport from the U of A could devastate the sport at a university level. The way in which the decision was made was also extremely disappointing. As described by Jana Purden in her article:

Sloboda recently returned from India, where Canada's national women's and men's field hockey teams were competing at an Olympic qualifier.

She said she walked into a meeting at the university last week expecting to discuss the renewal of her contract. Instead, she learned the program's funding is being withdrawn entirely, and the 16-member Pandas team will be removed from competition in Canadian Interuniversity Sport and Canada West University Athletics Association.

Their last season wound up in November.

"It was very confusing and very shocking," said Sloboda, who played on the team from 2000 to 2004 and has coached for the last five years.

"I feel like our hands have been tied."

There were 19 women lined up to play on the team next year, she said.

Reade said the program costs the university about $120,000 annually, and doesn't have the broader community support needed to bring in extra money through ticket sales, sponsorships or sports camps.

The full article is available online here: http://www2.canada.com/story.html?id=6247602

If you are upset about this decision, feel free to contact the director of athletics at University of Alberta. His contact information is available here: http://www.bears.ualberta.ca/en/ContactUs.aspx

CIS 2012 Women's Volleyball National Championships Live Video Streaming!

2012-03-03T13:06:00.000-05:00

The Canadian championships for women's university volleyball is going on this weekend. Check out live streaming online at Kill on Two: http://www.killontwo.com/news/2012/3/3/cis-2012-womens-championship-live-scores.html

The tournament is being hosted by McMaster University in Hamilton. The schedule is:

Saturday March 3rd, 2012
Consolation #1: Trinity Western vs. Queen's - 1:00 p.m. EST
Consolation #2: Saint Mary's vs. McMaster - 3:00 p.m. EST
Semifinal #1: Montreal vs. UBC - 6:00 p.m. EST
Semifinal #2: McGill vs. Alberta - 8:00 p.m. EST

Check out the live stream and support women's volleyball in Canada!

Great Video About Women's Sports on WESPN

2012-02-13T22:07:00.000-05:00

Excellent conversation starter over at WESPN. Check it out!

Topics include:

Is there a market for women's sports?

Why is lingerie football thriving?

What type of owners are needed to make women's sports thrive?

http://espn.go.com/espnw/commentary/7570004/jane-mcmanus-women-professional-soccer-struggles-sign-bigger-trend-women-sports

Is the Death of the Male Only Golf Club Around the Corner?

2012-02-12T18:34:00.001-05:00

The Chicago Tribune is reporting that Butler National Golf Club is considering opening up membership in the exclusive club to women. While the motivation for the move certainly makes sense in terms of equality, the move would likely take place due to financial pressures.

Firstly, the Tribune states that admitting women would allow it to host professional tournaments which can generate up to $5 million.

Secondly, the article also noted that in wealthy regions of the United States women are often avid golfers. Limiting membership to men is only closing the door on a potentially large, and growing, market of affluent women. Logically speaking, while clubs may be able to operate without women in boom times, in recessions (especially recessions that have not been kind to men) it may be necessary for some of these clubs to open their doors to women.

A 2010 article in Newsweek, for example, reported that women are becoming an increasing market power. The article states:

American women are responsible for 83 percent of all consumer purchases; they hold 89 percent of U.S. bank accounts, 51 percent of all personal wealth, and are worth more than $5 trillion in consumer spending power—larger than the entire Japanese economy.

Thirdly, the article quotes Psychologist Aaron Rochlen and notes that the younger generation has not grown up in a "culture of separation" and are accustomed to women being integrated into the work place, positions of power and in social functions that were traditionally identified as male (think sporting event box seats, high class clubs and, of course, charity golf tournaments). While some older males may feel uncomfortable letting loose and socializing at a golf club that contains women, most younger men would not feel the same tension, and, in fact, may enjoy having some estrogen in their company.

The Tribune article notes that of the 4,500 private golf clubs in the U.S., only about two dozen do not allow women to become members. Clearly these clubs are becoming an endangered species, but will they soon become extinct?

The Tribune quoted A.P. Carlton Jr., a North Carolina attorney who specializes in country club law, for support that clubs today seem to be less interested in exclusion.

The majority of clubs I represent, and my own club itself, have come to embrace diversity in recognition of today's business world... I think the old notion of the smoke-filled back room — male only, discriminatory — is fading in the country club world, generally.

And there you have it. While equality laws and activists have fought for years for equality at golf clubs, the real motivator in this time of change may in fact be money- isn't it always?

Under Armour: Best Women's Athletic Gear Commercial I have Ever Seen

2012-02-11T21:03:00.001-05:00

Finally, a women's athletic gear commercial that embraces female athleticism. I love this! Enjoy!

What do you think? What are your favourite women's sports commercials? Post in the comments section below.

Soccer-Asia Urges Green Light for Headscarves

2012-01-31T19:55:00.001-05:00

It is good to see that people are still talking about this issue. I think Soccer-Asia is right on this one. Who is FIFA to tell a woman to change her religious beliefs and customs just to play in a soccer match?

Check out the article here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/30/soccer-asia-headscarves-idUSL4E8CU3B720120130

Spotlight on the Anita White Foundation

2012-01-28T12:28:00.001-05:00

This morning I stumbled across another ground breaking women's sports group thanks to twitter.

The Anita While Foudnation ("AWF") is a newly established organisation based at the University of Chichester. According to their website, the aims of the Foundation are to provide a central point of reference for scholars and activists in the worldwide women and sport movement and to support the education and development of women leaders from developing countries.

The AWF has two main components: an archive of original materials relating to the international women and sport movement and a fund which will enable women leaders from developing countries to access educational and development opportunities and resources at the University of Chichester, including access to some of its noted Honorary degree holders.

Check out the video below which is a recording of the panel discussion that took place at the AWF Launch in September of 2011.

Anita White Foundation Launch from University of Chichester on Vimeo.

The AWF has already taken strong positions on issues that are important to women athletes, including this position on the right for female boxers to choose what they wear while competing.

Show your support to the AWF by making a donation online here: http://blogs.chi.ac.uk/anitawhite/donate/.

National Girls and Women in Sports Day- February 1, 2012 - Go out and support women's sport!

2012-01-28T11:05:00.001-05:00

Don't you think it is time to celebrate women in sport?

The National Association for Girls and Women in Sport ("NAGWS") is working hard to promote the 26th annual celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day in the United States scheduled to take place February 1, 2012. This years theme is: "Title IX at 40: In it for the Long Run."

Despite the acknowledged success that Title IX has had in the United States it is clear that there is still work to be done. The NAGWS stated on their website that "Despite the stunning advances made in the 40 years since Title IX was enacted, high school girls still receive 1.3 million fewer participation opportunities than do boys, and evidence suggests that the money spent on girls' sports programs lags significantly behind the money spent on boys' programs."

How Can You Support Women's Sport on February 1, 2012?

Even if you do not reside in the United States, on February 1, 2012 I challenge you all to put your money where your mouth is and go out and watch a woman's sporting event. Just because you may not necessarily hear about these events in the newspaper (due to a chronic lack of coverage of women's events) doesn't mean they do not exist.

Women in Sport International will be compiling a list of women's sporting events taking place on February 1, 2012 in Canada. Feel free to contact us and send in your event.

Now get out there and support women athletes!

February 1, 2012 Women's Sporting Events

Basketball

Acadia at Saint Mary's - 6:00 pm AST

Brock at McMaster- 6:00 PM EST (Audio)

Laurier at Windsor- 6:00 PM EST

Western at Guelph- 6:00 PM EST

Ice Hockey

University of PEI v. St. FX- 7:00 PM AST

Volleyball

University of Manitoba at Winnipeg 6:00 PM CST

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011: A no show for the women

2012-01-14T00:27:00.002-05:00

BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2011: A no show for the women

By JoJo Rennie

There was certainly cause for celebration this year as Mark Cavendish was awarded BBC Sports Personality of the Year (SPOTY). He was a deserved winner after having a phenomenal year; becoming world road race champion, winning the green jersey at the Tour De France – the first British racer to have done so – and winning five stages of this hugely gruelling event. However, the BBC have had there fair share of controversy surrounding these awards, as previously, eyebrows had been raised at the lack of women who made the nominations list. And by lack, I mean complete absence.

After nominations were announced in late November, many top female athletes took to Twitter to discuss the news. The general tone was not of personal disappointment, but of a general disappointment surrounding the damage and the obvious neglect of British women in sport this past year. The likes of Rebecca Adlington, Jessica Ennis and Chrissie Wellington – amongst others – were overlooked. Adlington won gold in the 800m freestyle in July in Shanghai. Ennis has also had a strong year, narrowly missing out on a gold medal in the World Championships in August, and is back in training with high hopes for success at London 2012. Wellington – allegedly the most angry at the omission of women from the SPOTY short list – has arguably had the most impressive year; cementing her place in the sporting world with an impressive fourth World Championship Ironman title.

Hope Powell, coach of the England Women's football team, has waded in on the debate. She speaks more broadly about the disinterest from mainstream media in the UK in regards to women's sport. Despite acknowledging that there was some significant media attention on the Women's England team during their World Cup campaign over the summer, she concedes that this was fleeting. The England team achieved considerable success on the World stage, reaching the quarter finals. But have since been distinctly absent in the media, especially after recently having played an important qualifier match. The sporadic interest in women's sport is all too apparent.

Football in Britain has, by far, the highest participation levels of women and girls than any other sport in the UK, yet Powell highlights her belief that “sports editors don't want to read about women's football.” It's interesting to note that, in 2011 ESPN were averaging “about 60,000 viewers for each [Women's Super League] match, on a par with Scottish Premier League games.”

It is not just Powell who argues there is inconsistent coverage of women's sport in the UK. Karen Carney, a first team member of Powell's side, notes how successful the England rugby and cricket teams are. But the lack of media attention on these performers affects the public's perception of both the sports in which these women participate, and the individuals themselves. This is echoed by Nicky Ponsford, a member of the management team for England's Women rugby team, as he speaks about the omission of women from the SPOTY nominations list: “It's not recognising the performances that have taken place.”

It is easy to view the all male nominations list as an oversight of the hard work and accomplishment of British female athletes this year. To only see men is a disappointing, and unfair, reflection on the work put it by all British sports performers; men and women alike. Of course, it would be more insulting if there were women included on the short list as a means to be politically correct. Perhaps the dominance of media attention on men's sport has reared its head on this issue, thrusting the better known, highly publicised athletes to the forefront. Women have achieved great success in previous years on the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year- and it's important to remember this. It's also necessary to remember that the year ahead is going to be huge for British athletes; with the staging of the Olympics. So let us hope that there are, justifiably of course, a prolific number of women on the nominations list next year.

New Book: "Stolen Bases: Why American Girls Don't Play Baseball"

2011-10-24T21:24:00.000-04:00

For those of you who are interested in sports books, you should check out the website New Books in Sport.

One of the current featured books is Jennifer Ring, "Stolen Bases: Why American Girls Don't Play Baseball." Click here for an interview with the author.

Jennifer Ring's book was inspired by her love for baseball and story of her daughter. Her daughter had played baseball growing up but eventually met the resistance that most women's baseball players seem to meet. She reached a certain age and all of a sudden it became clear that a girl playing baseball, especially with the boys, is not acceptable to many coaches and parents. Jenny's daughter, however, failed to give up and went on to play with the USA Women's National team.

There are many questions asked in Jennifer book but the most perplexing to me is why, unlike in other sports, there is not the option for women and girls to play in a girls' baseball league. Girls that like to throw a ball and hit are instead steered towards softball. Jennifer looks at the history of baseball to determine how it is that the two sports developed so that boys play baseball and women play softball.

I have not yet read the book but am certainly looking forward to it.

Check out the interview and the interview with Jennifer Ring here: http://newbooksinsports.com/2011/10/10/jenny-ring-stolen-bases-why-american-girls-dont-play-baseball-university-of-illinois-press-2009/

A Look at Women's Professional Raquetball

2011-10-24T21:00:00.001-04:00

We like to shine attention on new and developing women's sports and leagues. One such sport is clearly women's racquetball.

Next month we will be doing interviews with athletes from the Women's Professional Racquetball Organization (WPRO). The biggest events in women's racquetball are currently the US Open and the Pan Am Games. The WPRO is a growning organization where women at the top of their sport earn money playing the sport they love. The organization is currently working hard to expand its brand and to attract new sponsors.

For those of you that do not know racquetball check out the WPRO website here (there is a great video at the bottom of the main page).

In women's raquetball the balls travel between 160-180 mph in a small closed in court. The WPRO currently has athletes from over 12 countries competing including: United States, Mexico, Chile, Canada, Puerto Rico, Japan, Dominican Republic and Venezuela.

Check back early in November for the results of our interviews with women at the top of WPRO as well as with WPRO Commissioner Gigi Rock.

Facts indicate manipulation at the very top of men’s tennis

2011-10-10T10:45:00.001-04:00

On October 6 at Play The Game conference held in Cologne, Estonian academic of Serbian origin, Katarina Pijetlovic delivered a speech on the topic "Curious Case of Draws at the ITF Grand Slam Tournaments 2008-2011". The statistics presented and facts surrounding them strongly indicate that the draws at three out of four Grand Slam tennis tournaments might have been rigged for the past four years.
Conference presentation at 12 min. 15 sec. of the video available here: http://www.livestream.com/playthegame_dshs/video?clipId=pla_44809e94-aa04-46c7-9f1e-35b212ba9d46&utm_source=lslibrary&utm_medium=ui-thumb
Presentation slides available here http://www.playthegame.org/fileadmin/image/PTG2011/Presentation/thursday/Katarina_Pijetlovic_-_6_Oct_at_PLAY_THE_GAME_2011.pdf

At the Grand Slam tournaments players are entered in the draw sheet based on their current standings on the ATP rank list. The first seed is placed on line 1, while the second seed is placed on line 128 at the very bottom of the draw sheet. This ensures that the two best players cannot meet before the finals. Thereafter, 3rd and 4th seeded player are hand-drawn from the jar: the first drawn is placed on the line 33 and the second drawn is placed on the line 96 in the draw-sheet. This way the best four players cannot meet each other before semi-finals.

As of 2005 the first two spots on the ATP rank list shifted between Roger Federer known as a hard and grass court specialist and Rafael Nadal known as clay court specialist. For several years the two players held a virtual duopoly over men's tennis. Both are sponsored by Nike, and are the most popular players on the planet. Majority of the tennis fans across the world, tournament organizers, and players' sponsor, each for different reasons, wanted to see Federer and Nadal clash in finals. In 2007 Novak Djokovic rose to No. 3 and a year later Andy Murray rose to No. 4 to threaten the dominant duo. Murray has a positive score in mutual encounters with Federer, but is down 13-4 to Nadal.

Very interestingly, in each and every of 12 Grand Slams played on hard and grass courts since the beginning of 2008, Djokovic was placed in Federer's half on the draw, and Murray (or another current fourth seed) in Nadal's half of the draw! This included four of each, Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon. With Djokovic and Murray in less favorable part of the draw, the likelihood of the desired finals between Nadal and Federer increases. Roland Garros, a Grand Slam that is played on clay, had statistically normal outcome - Djokovic ended up twice in Federer's and twice in Nadal's half of the draw.

Under the laws of probability, where the probability of success of single draw is 0.5, having a draw of 3rd and 4th seeded players turn the same way 12 out of 12 times is 0.0002 (0.02%). The fact that the pattern of outcomes survived every change at the top of the ATP rank list, and was not influenced by the Wimbledon's slightly different seeding procedures further decreases the probabilities presented. A big coincidence at exactly this time in tennis history, under exactly these circumstances? Possible but not probable.

Add to this equation recent research by ESPN's "Outside The Lines" which demonstrated that US Open computer-generated part of the draw which supposed to randomly distribute the unseeded players in the draw sheet has likely been rigged for the past ten years to ensure that the top 2 players face the easiest possible opponents in the first round. "It is still possible though…in sport just like in life anomalies can happen" said Chris Widmaier of US Tennis Association. But statistical analysis conducted by Dr. Andrew Swift produced as easy opponents in the first round in only 4 out of million simulations! "By itself, the U.S. [Open] numbers are weird," he said. "And then they're also weird in comparison to the other three Grand Slams. So you've got a double argument of weirdness here. Something weird is going on."
Full story available here http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/6854000/how-espn-lines-analyzed-us-open-tennis-tournament-draw

…and here http://espn.go.com/espn/otl/story/_/id/6850893/espn-analysis-finds-top-seeds-tennis-us-open-had-easier-draw-statistically-likely
ESPN's short video illustration at http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=6861149&categoryid=2378529

There is about one in many millions chance that two incredible coincidences of the kind described might happen simultaneously. The numbers merit detailed investigation.

Sent on the TELUS Mobility network with BlackBerry

Nike Tells the IAAF You Cannot Change History

2011-09-29T20:15:00.001-04:00

@NikeRunning Nike Running In 2003, Paula Radcliffe ran 26.2 miles in 2:15:25. End of discussion. #HISTORYSTANDS on.fb.me/WRisWR pic.twitter.com/vtQRwmwJ

This tweet officially awoke me from my blogging slumber. Paula Radcliffe is the current world record holder in the women's marathon with a ground breaking time of 2:15:25.

At least, until January 2012 when the record will be taken from her. Why? Because she posted that time in a race that she ran with men at a mixed race. Anyone who has participated in road races knows that there are far more mixed races then women's only races. There also may be an advantage for women such as Radcliffe to run with men- so that she can continually push and challenge herself when the female competition is not up to her standards. I get that the IAAF wants to get women pace makers more work in women's only races, but why change your policies with world records? Let the current record stand and let the top female runners keep racing in races with men if that is what they choose to do.

I absolutely love that Nike is standing behind Radcliffe in this ordeal. Not only is it the right thing to do, it will no doubt be a huge boost in Nike's popularity with female runners. "Corporate sponsor stands up for woman whose world record is taken from her" sure sounds good to anyone concerned about corporate social responsibility.

I also love the slogan: "You can change the rules, but you cannot change history." That is absolutely what is going on here. Major sports leagues change rules all the time. MLB changes their baseballs, the NHL changes equipment and checking rules, but records do not get changed with every given rule change.

At the end of the day Radcliffe ran 26.2 miles in 2:15:25. It was the fastest time in history for a woman, the world record. End of story.

Big Turnout Projected for International Softball Federation Congress

2011-09-28T21:49:00.000-04:00

I just received this Press Release from the ISF. Nice to see softball seems to be gaining steam outside of North America and Asia (of course, as a softball player, I am incredibly biased). Hopefully the delegates can get something useful accomplished. What do you think should be number 1 on the agenda?

Courtesy of the ISF

PLANT CITY, FLORIDA (USA) -- One month from today the members of the Board of Directors will arrive in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (USA), in the lead-in to the International Softball Federation XXV Congress. The next day, October 27, will bring delegates from around the world to America’s mid-west as the world governing body convenes its biennial gathering.

“I think it shows the level of commitment of our members and the continued passion for our sport around the world,” ISF President Don Porter said of the projected turnout of close to 80 countries. “This is nothing new, however,” he continued. “Four years ago in the Philippines we had 77 countries represented, and two years ago in Venezuela we had another good turnout. I’m pleased that the trend will continue next month in Oklahoma City.”

The Congress runs through and including October 30th and will take place at the Oklahoma City Marriott Hotel.

The site of the 2013 Congress will be just one of a number of agenda items, as will the awarding of host cities for future ISF championships. A discussion on possible changes to competition format (meaning, qualification tournaments) is also expected. There will also be numerous commission meetings, including, but not limited to, the Athletes Commission, the Women in Sport Commission, and the Hall of Fame Commission, which will consider the latest crop of candidates that have been nominated.

The Olympic Legacy Committee will lead a forum on the process that softball will follow relative to the sport having been on the shortlist announced by the International Olympic Committee in July. A total of eight sports will vie for the one spot on the 2020 Summer Games programme that will be voted on in September 2013.

Mr. Porter indicated that the ISF is finalizing details regarding special invitees for next month’s Congress. This year’s edition will also include an exhibitors area.

“Homophobic” Eucharia Uche To Be Investigated By FIFA

2011-09-19T19:07:00.000-04:00

Op Ed By JoJo Rennie

Fans of the Women's World Cup may remember the tournament as one that positively reflected the (ever) developing skill and passion in the Women's game. Despite coverage focusing heavily on a hard fought underdog tale that saw Japan come out victorious, the tournament was also blighted by reports of blatant homophobia from the Nigerian camp.

A petition was set up to have Nigeria coach Eucharia Uche investigated by FIFA for systematic discrimination, as she 'removed' all lesbians from the Nigerian squad. Along with AllOut, the International Gay and Lesbian Football Association and the Federation of Gay Games raised awareness amongst the general public, and successfully acquired enough signatures to launch an inquest by FIFA.

It is absolutely disgraceful to have someone (in a position of authority no less) act in such a manner. What is perhaps more disturbing is the fact that a petition, with 46 000 signatures, was needed before having this issue brought under scrutiny. Uche made no qualms about how she felt, earlier relaying to The New York Times that the lesbians in her team were “a big problem”. After being appointed as head coach of The Super Falcons [as the Nigerian team is known] she highlighted how this “problem” was “cleared up.” These comments came on the eve of the 2011 Women's World Cup but it is only now that FIFA have begun their inquest. Just to make sure no-one was left still questioning Uche's stance on this issue she stated in the interview that homosexuality was “dirty”.

To argue in defence of free speech is inexcusable here. It is purely a matter of discrimination. On the simplest level, a person's sexual orientation has absolutely no bearing on their ability to play football (or any other sport for that matter). If it is an issue in the dressing room, then it is only because people make it an issue. Members of the LGBT community should not have to suffer for other people's prejudices.

The question of sex and sexuality in women's sport is an ever present issue. Many athletes have their reservations about how they are portrayed in the media. In a sport such as football where there is historically rich connotations of the 'butch' athlete, and the (often) public perception that it is a 'lesbian's game', players often try to distance themselves from this notion. As a result, many women, through pressures of media representations, actively portray themselves in a feminine light. This is recently evidenced through the Playboy shoot involving members of the German national squad (not those who performed in the World Cup). Many tennis players wear excessive amounts of jewellery and some footballers even wear make up during matches.

The comments from Eucharia Uche does nothing to help equality and tolerance in the world of football. Not only is it damaging (as well as extremely disrespectful) for lesbians, but also for straight women in the game. Sport is universal: it crosses all language barriers and cultural borders. In many respects it is an important platform on which messages of tolerance and equality can be, and should be, delivered. Andre Banks, co-founder of AllOut, has said on the matter: “soccer is sending out a clear and important message: homophobia has no place in football”. It will be immensely disappointing, and potentially detrimental, if FIFA don't follow through and deliver an appropriate message with the outcome of this inquiry.

"Sex Sells Sex, Not Women's Sports"

2011-08-03T21:47:00.002-04:00

Week of August 3, 2011: "Sex Sells Sex, Not Women's Sports" by Mary Jo Kane in August 15-22 edition of The Nation.

This week's article of the week comes from Mary Jo Kane the director of the Tucker Center for Research on Girls and Women in Sport at the University of Minnesota. Ms. Kane has studied the marketing of women's sports and argues in her research that sex does not sell sport, sex sells sex. I have not read her whole academic piece but a summary of her arguments is available in this week's article of the week.

Kane cites certain instances of hypersexualization in women's sports and compares the message and the interest generated by this type of marketing compared to campaigns that focus on athletic prowess. When comparing the two the images of athletic prowess where much more successful of encouraging the viewer to want to watch the event.

Check out this key section of her article:

To investigate empirically whether sex truly sells women’s sports, I conducted a series of focus groups based on gender and age (18–34; 35–55) with a colleague at the University of Minnesota. Study participants were shown photographs of female athletes ranging from on-court athletic competence to wholesome “girls next door” to soft pornography and asked to indicate which images increased their interest in reading about, watching on TV and attending a women’s sporting event.

Our findings revealed that in the vast majority of cases, a “sex sells” approach offended the core fan base of women’s sports—women and older men. These two groups rated the image that portrayed athletic prowess as the one most likely to influence their interest in women’s sports. Said one younger female: “This image [of a WNBA player driving toward the basket] really sucked me in. I want to be there. I want to be part of that feeling.” In contrast, younger and older females, as well as older males, were offended by the hypersexualized images. One older male said: “If she [Serena Williams in a sexually provocative pose] were my sister I’d come in, slap the photographer, grab her and leave.” Even when younger males, a prime target audience, indicated that sexually provocative images were “hot,” they also stated that such images did not fundamentally increase their interest in women’s sports, particularly when it came to attending a sporting event. The key takeaway? Sex sells sex, not women’s sports.

So what does sell women’s sports? The answer lies with women’s college basketball and the coverage it receives on ESPN. Each year during the NCAA’s March Madness tournament, women’s hoops garner record attendance and TV ratings. Coverage of the women’s Final Four bears a remarkable resemblance to that of the men’s—a focus on great traditions, conference rivalries (Duke vs. North Carolina), legendary coaches (Pat Summitt vs. Geno Auriemma)—and, most important, showcasing sportswomen as physically gifted, mentally tough, grace-under-pressure athletes.

What do you think? Do you agree with Mary Jo Kane? I do. I agree the a large market for potential fans for professional women's sports are women, and particularly former high school and college athletes. Another great market are not just their fathers, as Mary Jo mentions, but the men that support them. I am a female athlete growing up and if my dad, male cousins or boyfriends definitely would not have taken my sport seriously if we tried to get fans out by wearing bikinis. Not only that- my bet is they would stay home.

What do you think? Hopefully sports and marketing executives begin to stop and think about it.

Canadian Women's Rugby Team Members Boycott Rugby Canada's "Pay-to-Play" Rule

2011-07-30T13:28:00.004-04:00

One of my law professors at Queen's University shared this article with me from the Toronto Star: "Female Rugby Stars Won't Pay to Play."

We have all heard of amateur athletes struggling to get by while competing in their sport. Many couch hop, quit their jobs or rely heavily on family and friends for a chance to represent their country internationally.

But have you ever heard of athletes having to pay to play on their national team?

Each member of the Canadian women's national team must pay $2,900 for their spot on the national team and compete- on home soil- in this week's international Nations Cup in Oakville. This, in the same year that the men's national team has a $1.8 million dollar budget to prepare for their World Cup in New Zealand.

The Star quoted one of the players, Brooke Hilditch as saying “To me, it’s a bit of slap in the face." Slap in the face is right.

Hilditch is one of three senior national team players who refused to participate in the Nations Cup, to protest Rugby Canada’s “pay-to-play” system for women in non-World Cup years. Boycotting the event with Hilditch, 31, are Gillian Florence, 36, of Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Que., and Toronto’s Megan Gibbs, 26. Hilditch is a fly half and eight-year veteran of the national team, previously shelled out $2,500 to play for Canada in a 2009 Nations Cup.

“I can afford it. I’m a teacher and I have a salary . . . but the point I’m trying to make is in the future, we won’t be fielding our best team. We’ll only have girls who can afford it, and that’s not the goal of having a national team.”

The senior women’s team has all its expenses paid during a World Cup year. (The most recent was 2010, in which Canada finished sixth.)Those expenses are paid by Rugby Canada, with the International Rugby Board picking up the World Cup tabs for travel, accommodation and food.

Neither the women’s nor men’s rugby teams receives Sport Canada money for competitions because traditional rugby is not an Olympic sport. However, national team members — 22 men and 22 women — receive Sport Canada “carding” money worth approximately $20,000 a year to cover training and living expenses. Hilditch, Florence and Gibbs receive that funding. What the Toronto Star article did not say is that senior women Rugby players even receive less government carding money than senior men rugby players.

The Toronto Star also reported that Canada is not alone in using a pay-to-play model for women. The USA uses the same model, with their athletes shelling out between $2000- $5000 to play in any given year.

Hilditch is really making a stand on this policy for Canada, and as a veteran of the national team, with not much to lose she is the perfect voice against this. The star quoted her as saying "“I might be losing my chances but I think it’s worth it for the future of our team. I see so many girls who are so talented and I don’t want them being poor while trying to play for their country because that’s not what the national team should be about.”

Hopefully the media publicity will make Rugby Canada re-evaluate their policies. Best of luck!

If you want to help these women speak out to Sport Canada and Rugby Canada about this policy and how it is not acceptable.

United States Wins First Ever U25 Women's Wheelchair Basketball Championships

2011-07-22T10:31:00.000-04:00

The United States continued its perfect run at the U25 Women's Wheelchair Basketball Championships with a victory over Australia, 66-39 in the final. The United States was led by Desiree Miller who scored 26 points, had 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Rebecca Murray also contributed in the final with 13 points and 6 assists. Eight players on the USA team contributed with at least one point. The only two Australian players scoring in double digits were Bridie Kean (15 points), and Cobie Crispin (11 points). Kean and Crispin also each had 7 rebounds.

The United States dominated this tournament winning all of its matches. Its closes matches were against Australia in the round robin (70-51) and Great Britain in the Semi-Final (63-48). The United States team, according to Team Canada Player Gabby Roberts-Winter (who we interviewed before the tournament), benefits from a well established and competitive college competitive league (which includes the University of Arizona and the University of Alabama, to name a few).

Great Britain defeated the home favourite Canadians 62-42 in the bronze medal game.

Congratulations to all teams and to the IWBF, Wheelchair Basketball Canada and the host committee for running such a successful tournament!

WISI Article of the Week: "Abby Wambach Overwhelmed by Rochester Homecoming"

2011-07-21T15:04:00.003-04:00

Week of July 20, 2011: "Abby Wambach Overwhelmed by Rochester Homecoming" by Jeff Diveronica in USA Today.

You had to know that this week's article of the week out feature the finale of the Women's World Cup in one way or another. There was no shortage of excellent and thought provoking articles about this years tournament. People wrote about Title IX, the upcoming Olympic Tournament, the ability to attract new soccer fans, and the importance of a Japanese win for their country (to name a few themes). The article that touched me the most, however was "Abby Wambach Overwhelmed by Rochester Homecoming" by Jeff Diveronica.

You might ask yourself, "Why on earth is this important?" My answer would be that it shows that women's sports has arrived. 15,404 fans turned out to Rochester to catch a glimps of her at Wednesday's game between Wambach's magicJack team from South Florida, and the Western New York Flash. This was a match, in her hometown, that many were aware that she would not even be able to play in. The match set a Women's Professional Soccer League Record.

I am going to go out on a limb here and guess that not everyone in the audience was there to see Wambach. Sure she was the hometown hero, but in the first WPS match in the area since the US team's run at the world cup, I would not be surprised if many in the audience were first time attendee's at a women's soccer match.

Although Wambach was injured and although she had other opportunities last night, she would not miss the game for anything. She was quoted as saying:

"Not for one second did I think of not coming to Rochester because I know that this city was cheering the loudest for me (during the World Cup), And I know this city deserves a night like tonight just to celebrate women's sports."

Good for Abby, Good for Rochester and Great for Women's Sports.

Read the whole article of Abby's homecoming online here: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/soccer/2011-07-20-abby-wambach-rochester-homecoming_n.htm.

Final Day of the U25 Women's Wheelchair Basketball Championships: Watch Online

2011-07-21T14:32:00.000-04:00

In yesterday's semi-final action the USA beat Great Britain 63-48 and Australia beat the home-town favourites Canada 60-47.

The bronze medal game between Canada and Great Britain takes place at 4:45 tonight and the gold medal game follows at 7pm (all times Eastern). Watch the games online here and support your favourite team!!

Quarter Final Results at the Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball Championships

2011-07-20T15:02:00.000-04:00

Yesterday was Quarter Final Day at the Women's U25 Wheelchair Basketball Championships. I have not had time to do a complete write up for all the games but below are the results with a link to game recaps by the host committee.

Quarter-Final 1: Great Britain 56 over Germany 38
Quarter-Final 2: Australia 56 over Japan 53
Quarter-Final 3: USA 73 over South Africa 12
Quarter-final 4: Canada 63 over Mexico 48

This sets up semi-final matches of USA v. Great Britain at 4:45pm EST and Canada v. Australia at 7:00pm EST later today. Cheer the teams on by watching online here.

Remembering Gil Read: The Gil Read Memorial Tournament, July 22-24

2011-07-19T11:57:00.004-04:00

By Erin Durant

If you are a softball player in the Ottawa area chances are you know the name Gil Read. Gil was best known as a coach for boys and girls, men and women, experts and beginners at ball diamonds across Canada. Some athletes even had the privilege to hit off a batting tee in his high-tech softball training facility (also known as his garage).

I first got to know Gil when I moved to Ottawa to study history (and softball) at the University of Ottawa. Gil was my coach at the University of Ottawa for two years, leading us to a second place finish in Ontario in 2005. I got to know Gil and the entire Read family well over the course of University, as I eventually ended up working for Gil, and his brother Rob, at Read Abstracts Ltd. I also had the tremendous opportunity to work for Softball Canada as the Learn to Play Softball Program Coordinator in 2005, a program that Gil was instrumental in founding.

Roughly three years after I first met Gil, he passed away. It was August 2007 and the softball community in Canada lost one of its greatest supporters. The Ottawa Citizen covered his death with an article entitled "Canadian Softball Loses One of It's Best." That was certainly not an overstatement.

Gil's accomplishments as head coach at the University of Ottawa was just the tip of an extremely large iceberg of notable achievements. He was a long-time coach, coaching both boys and girls teams. He led three teams to the Canadian Championships in 1993, 1995 and 1999 and also coached Team Ontario to Gold medals at the 1997, 2001 and 2005 Canada Summer Games. Gil was a member of Softball Ontario’s Coaching Committee from 1995 to 2002, served on Softball Canada’s Coaching Committee and was a Softball Canada Master Course Conductor from 1994 to 2006. On top of these coaching accomplishments, Gil also served as a member of Softball Canada’s Initiation Committee, and was Canada’s Team Leader at the 2003 ISF Junior Women’s World Championship, at the 2003 Women’s Olympic Team Qualifier and at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. Gil often spoke highly of his time with the Senior Women's National team and the wonderful athletes he had a chance to work with on Softball's greatest stage. Gil was ultimately inducted into the Softball Canada Hall of Fame as a builder of the game in 2009.

Gil is remembered fondly by everyone that he coached. I once told my father that I learned more the first two months (the length of an Ontario University season) being coached by Gil than I had learned in my prior 14 years playing the game. It was not an exaggeration. Gil and his team of coaches are responsible for turning me from a mediocre tier two player from Prescott into a tier one player who won a bronze medal at the Senior Women's National Championships in 2009.

Gil's funeral was well attended by former players, fellow coaches and, of course, his loving family. His loss was felt across Canada, with one former colleague, Glen Harris, writing in 2007: "He was respected by everyone in the game. He assisted his players with all aspects of their game, as well as their development into athletes and outstanding young adults." Another friend, and former men's national team athlete under his guidance, Randy Peck commented in the Ottawa Citizen that "He was a tremendous friend and a tremendous person. He did more for ball in this area quietly than anyone realizes. He had tremendous ball knowledge, but was even a better person and friend."

The Gil Real Memorial Foundation

It did not take long for his family to realize that Gil's name should live on and continue to do good things for sports in the Ottawa area. The Gil Read Memorial Foundation was founded shortly after Gil's passing and is currently in its fourth year of existence. The foundation raises money to "help less fortunate kids compete in sports across the City of Ottawa." The foundation has already raised thousands of dollars and has been funding athletes competing in Ottawa for the past two years.

The foundation fills an important role in the Ottawa sport community. The cost of youth sport is rising each year and given the hard economic times for many families, sport is becoming out of reach for some youth. Sports leagues in Ottawa that are aware of children that want to play, but cannot afford the high costs, are encouraged to contact the foundation.

The biggest annual event for the Gil Read Memorial Foundation is the Gil Read Memorial Fastpitch Tournament. This year's tournament is being hosted in Carp, Ontario from July 22-24. The tournament features play areas for kids, a splash pad, a beverage tent, a barbecue and, of course, high level fastpitch softball. A day pass for the tournament costs is $5 and the weekend pass is $10. Kids under the age of 12 get free admission. The tournament has received good media coverage this year (see video below) and is hoping for a large turnout.

For those of you in the Ottawa area that are former or current softball players or are supporters of youth sport, it would be great to see you at the tournament in Carp this weekend. I have been to the tournament every year and it is one of the highlights of my summer. The tournament is a great celebration of Gil's life, of youth sport, and of the game of softball. For those that cannot make it, check out the Gil Read Memorial Foundation Online.

See you at the diamond!

Rogers Cup Pulls "Come for the Ladies, Stay for the Legends" Campaign

2011-07-18T15:32:00.000-04:00

This past weekend I was up in arms over an ad campaign that I saw on TV Saturday advertising the Roger's Cup in Toronto. The advertisement (which is not available online) had the tag line "Come for the ladies, stay for the legends." At the end of the advertisement there were pictures of the women tennis players on the left, standing with their backs to the camera, head looking over their shoulder with a tennis racquet in their hand, on the right there were pictures of the male legend players in actual tennis action shots.

The print advertisements are a little more tame and show the women in tennis shots.

The advertising campaign saw an outpouring of criticism in its few short days of existence and it was subsequently pulled for the more gender neutral "Making History, Re-Living History." Tennis Canada issued a public statement about the campaign and its reasons for pulling it.

What do you think, was the slogan unnecessarily sexist? I found that the above print advertisement was much less offensive than the television ad which focused on the female athletes behinds more than their tennis skills. The television ad definitely suggested that you should come for the ladies looks and stay for the legends tennis. Tennis Canada was probably smart to pull the slogan before things got blown out of hand.

What do you think?

Just Canoe It!: The Quest For Olympic Status for Women's Canoe

2011-07-18T15:03:00.001-04:00

JustCanoeIt! is a website that is working towards gender equality in Canoe. Specifically, they are working to get equal canoe events added to the 2012 Olympic program. Currently there are no Canoe sprint events for women and no canoe slalom events. The women also compete in a much shorter Kayak race than the men and do not have as many Kayak race options. The website is run by a group called WomenCAN International.

The website has an extensive "Myths and Facts" section about Women's Canoe, with many points that were similar to the case made by the Women's Ski Jumpers.

Check out their website and make a donation to support women's canoe!

http://www.justcanoeit.com/content/default.asp

David Beats Goliath: Japan Victorious In FIFA Women's World Cup

2011-07-18T13:12:00.000-04:00

By JoJo Rennie

Japan have came far in this tournament, not only beating European opposition for the first time with their impressive defeat of Germany - but doing it against the two time World Cup champions in their own back yard. A blog in the Guardian highlights their plight simply, noting that these women have become “global ambassadors for a nation.” The players were heavily motivated by the tragedy in March that affected not only their country but their lives personally. It's a touching story, that led many neutrals to support this underdog in the biggest stage of their careers.

In the 25 meetings between these two, prior to this final, USA have won 22 and drawn 3 times. What better time for Japan to come out victorious than in the World Cup final. Outplayed by an impressive USA team in the first half, it seemed only a question of when USA would score, not if. Megan Rapinoe, particularly, worked tirelessly in the midfield. She was rewarded midway through the second half when her superb long pass upfield found Alex Morgan, who swiftly netted a fierce left foot shot. Japan's fighting spirit, evident throughout the competition, was present throughout the final, as they battled back for an equaliser. With a mistake at the heart of the defence. Aya Miyama pulled back a scrappy goal for Japan. Extra time followed, with tiring legs, but no less drive on the field. USA pulled ahead once more with Abby Wambach's header just before the half, but it wasn't enough to see them crowned victors as Japan continued to fight. When they needed it most, their inspirational captain, and arguably player of the tournament, Homare Sawa came to their rescue with her 5th goal of the tournament. A smart flick on from a corner in the 117th minute meant the tie would go to penalties.

As any fan of football would attest, a penalty shoot-out is the most nerve wracking and heartbreaking way to lose an important match. Japan had come further than anyone had expected; a team growing with every match, in both terms of technical ability and confidence. To be champions you need a bit of luck, and, with a penalty shoot-out, a cool head on your shoulders. With 3 successive misses from the USA, Saki Kumagai had the chance to win the Cup with Japan's fourth kick. Her powerful shot to the top left of the goal left Hope Solo with no chance. This victory was an impressive feat by the clear underdogs: having previously never advanced past the quarter-finals in this tournament, as well as never being crowned Asian champions, nor beating European opposition or the USA.

It has been simultaneously exciting and frustrating reading blogs and news coverage of the Women's World Cup. It's exciting because it's come (somewhat) into the media mainstream – albeit fleeting – with a buzz surrounding the matches; the players, supporters, results. It's also been extremely frustrating as I realise how far the sport needs to come. There are still the same old problems apparent when women's sport is thrust into the media spotlight. For every positive report on the Cup, there's been the odd reference to physical characteristics of the women, as well as some social commentary of, “who cares? Who's watching the women anyway?” A suitably smarmy comment by a Daily Mail reporter witnessing Sweden's Josefine Oqvist swapping her shirt with a German fan caught my eye. For Oqvist this was intended as a bit of a laugh, as well as a gracious gesture: “I just saw that he likes me and supported me – that's why I gave it to him” It was, however, reported with a certain insincere tone. This section of the paper is a re-cap of videos of the week, often intended as tongue in cheek. His comments on Oqvist are below:

We might have been a bit harsh on the Women's World Cup last week but we take it all back after watching the Swedish beauty in action.
After her team beat North Korea 1-0 (we think, that's not the important bit) Oqvist went to the crowd for a quick chat (she is a woman after all).
When a fan asked to swap shirts with her, not only did she oblige but she gave the lucky guy the kissed (sic) he asked for too. Take a bow Josefine.

Despite the obvious humour the whole article is trying to purvey, it is still particularly degrading to witness how succinctly they have downplayed the importance of the match - as well as the calibre and professionalism these women possess.

Will this year prove to be the year that has helped women's football? It has shown that the sport can be just as unpredictable, exciting and hard fought as the men's game. The level of football is not on par with the men's, but no-one is expecting that from the women. The passion, drive and tempo was apparent in every match: from the early group stage to the extra time and penalty drama right up to the final. It is interesting to note that the lack of high scoring matches has a positive effect, as it gives respectability to the game. The beginning of the tournament was marred slightly by the issue of homophobia rife in the Nigerian camp, but hopefully issues such as this brought into the media forefront encourages debate and, eventually, change. There is no doubt that, if ever there was an advert for the women's game, it was this World Cup final; excitement, unpredictability and passion in abundance.