Why+Is+It+Called+Women's+Sport?

Name: Patricia Larkin Student Number: n6882412 Tutor: Colleen Niland

Suggest strategies for continuing to improve and increase women’s involvement in sport. Discuss the policies that are working to improve the current situation, and barriers that still exist in relation to ensuring that women’s sport receives media attention and respect within the broader Australian cultural context.
 * Topic **

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The YouTube channel is provided by VicHealth. It focuses on their initiative titled, “Everyone Wins!”. The channel features: Renee Imbesi; Steve O’Malley’ Sam Lane’ Melissa Barbieri and Mary Wooldridge. Renee talks about how Everyone Wins and the culture of a sports club play an important role in overcoming negative attitudes and violence against women. Steve is a parent whose children are involved in a junior football club. He talks about the clubs role in building the players mind set of respecting women officials. Sam is an AFL journalist who portrays her personal experience in her role and where the AFL is currently at in respect to women on executive boards. Melissa is Captain of the Australian Women’s Soccer Team. She describes her irritation and what she faces everyday as a female athlete. Mary is the Victorian Minister for Women’s Affairs. Mary sums up how Everyone Wins is important for preventing violence against women.
 * Guideline 2 - The Artefact **

The public health issue central to this analysis is the treatment of women in sport. The focus is on the disparity females face in sport coverage compared to their male counterparts. The media plays an important role in not only advocating and advertising female athletes but also getting younger females involved. The artefact also represents the barriers women face in sport: violence; negative attitudes; and lack of possibilities. As seen in the clip by Melissa Barbieri, the social barriers of women in sport are also addressed. The YouTube channel provides an example strategy of what is currently being done to increase women participation in competitive sport. The artefact anecdotally highlights that women face an unfair playing field when it comes to their treatment in sport. Although the issue is now beginning to come to the for-front in the media there is still a way to go.
 * Guideline 3 - The Public Health Issue **

The media coverage of female athletes and sports is imperative for the health status of the female population of Australia. Between 2009 and 2010 24% of women participated in some form of organised sport or physical recreation (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2011). Through the media coverage of females participating in sport, women and girls, all over Australia are more motivated and inspired to become active themselves. Currently, females only receive 9% of all sports coverage in Australia (Australian Sport Commission, 2011). Given this statistic the Australian Government and other organisations put in place strategies to increase the air time women’s sport receives and thus hopefully improve the activity level of females.
 * Guideline 4 - Literature Review **

The Australian Government has just released a grant in order to increase the media attention of female sport. The grant was $1.45 million and divided between 15 national sporting organisations. Australian Government’s Women in Sport Media Grants were received by the following sporting organisations within Australia, Netball, Cricket, Cycling, Football (Soccer), Hockey, Rowing, Surfing, Swimming, Ski and Snowboarding, Basketball, Tennis, Athletics, Equestrian, Water Polo and Shooting. The funding and support will assist with production costs, marketing and promotion of national and international level Australian women’s leagues, competitions, teams and athletes (Australian Sports Commission, 2011).

Backing Australia’s Sporting Ability – A More Active Australia plan was announced in 2001. It was a ten year plan set in place by the Australian Government in order to increase participation in grass roots sports. It was put in place to ensure that all Australians regardless of culture, gender, race, capability, or age have an opportunity to be part of a More Active Australia. Through the expansion of the Active Australia initiative, managed by the Australian Sports Commission (ASC), focus will be placed on increasing the quality and quantity of women’s participation in sport and physical activity (Australian Sports Commission, 2001). The advantage of this strategy in terms of increasing the media coverage of women’s sport is that the skills of players and number of participants in the sports will increase from a younger age.

The Australian Womensport & Recreation Association Inc (AWRA) is a dynamic and enthusiastic volunteer not-for-profit organisation that was incorporated in July 2005. Its vision is to see //"A strong Australian culture that supports the active participation of women and girls in sport, physical activity and recreation.". It achieves this through supporting females wishing to be involved in sport administration boards and through board and media training ////(Australian Womensport and Recreation Association, 2011) ////. The AWRA receives support from similar state based organisations. The Queensland organisation is called Womensport Queensland and is supported by the // Queensland state government. As well as the training the AWRA provides, the Queensland branch holds events to recognise high achieving female elite athletes and a school girls breakfast career experience day where girls can find out about careers and opportunities involving sport other than becoming an elite athlete (Womensport Queensland, 2011). These organisations advocate for women in sport and wish to see an increase in girls participating in not only sport but just being more active.

Although Australia has come a long way in recognising women in sport and the issue becoming more socially acceptable there is still a way to go given the media statistics. The issue is important because being active is important for one’s health. Australia has signed the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). As a signatory to this convention, Australia must ensure women’s equality with men, including their equal participation in sport (United Nations, 2009). This should mean that women and men receive equal opportunities for sport. Through the funding from the government and encouraging more girls to stay involved in sport we should technically begin to see equal amounts of air play. However, there also needs to be an agreement with the media sector so they televise equal time for both men and women. This could possibly be one of the most obvious strategies in order to improve the coverage women’s sport receives through the media.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The suggested strategy would take time to put in place and also face many barriers. Media organisations could possibly argue that due to the lack of sponsorship and public interest and as a result they would receive less ratings thus lose revenue.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">From the research it can be seen that it has taken women to make the small changes so far. Until September 2010, just prior to the media grants being announced (May 2011), Kate Ellis was the minister for Youth and Sport. Once the government then elected Julia Gillard as their leader Mark Arbib took over her role and Kate moved to Minister for women. Backing Australia’s Sporting Ability was put in place while John Howard was Prime Minister. At the time, the Honourable Jackie Kellie was the Minister for Sport and Tourism. Although the program was aimed at both males and females, a female was involved in majority of the planning (Australian Government, 2011). The AWRA was started and put in place by women. This organisation is the forerunner for initiating the change of involving more women in sport. From this we can see that not many men are involved in helping women get their foot in the sporting media door. This poses a major barrier because men because men hold the power at the moment but they need to come on board in order to initiate further change.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The feminist theory aims to understand the nature of inequality between men and women (Brabeck & Brown, 1997). Within the Australian society it is evident that many of the gender issues women faced in the past are beginning to change. For example, in September 2011 the Australian Government approved for women to, within the next five years, be able to serve on the frontline of the Australian Defence Force (Caldwell & Scott, 2011). Although this is not a sporting issue, many of the complications that defence women have faced in the past are similar to that of sporting women. Previously, women have been marginalised within the sporting arena. The myths as to the reasons why women have not been able to participate in sport and the frontline have now been dispelled. The reasons used in the past include the idea that sport is harmful to the female reproductive system; that sport masculinises a women; if a female outperforms a male, the males masculinity is threatened; a woman’s achievement and level of performance for sporting women would be less than that of men and thus human and economic resources would be wasted; and that sport is not important for the social development of women (Frey, James, & Stanley, 1991). These myths still remain influential even though they have all be refuted by evidence.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Guideline 5 - Cultural and Social Analysis **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The myths still cause a stigma and separation for women’s sport from men. For example, in a all four Grand Slams, Davis Cup and the final of the Olympic Games the men play best of five sets compared to women’s best of three in a all four Grand Slams, Davis Cup and the final of the Olympic Games (Women's Tennis Association, 2011). Another example is present in swimming, In swim event organised by Federation Internationale De Nation (FINA) women swim a maximum of 800 metres compared to the men’s 1500 metre event. The FINA events include events such as the Swimming World Championships and Olympics (Federation Internationale De Nation, 2011). The limits placed on women effect the athletes, their media coverage, spectators and children. If the chosen sporting organisation, for example FINA, is not willing to accept men and women as equal they should expect to continue to see the disparity of media coverage. The lack of media coverage can have the potential to have a flow on effect to younger generations and up and coming athletes.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The awareness of the issue of women to be treated equally in the sporting arena is important for all forms of health of the individuals mentioned that are affected by the issue. Being involved in sport, both in the individual form and team, can improve your physical, mental, social and emotional health (Corbin, Corbin, Welk, & Welk, 2009). Equal coverage of women’s sport is important in order to encourage younger females to participate and be involved. The coverage does not always have to be of the athlete but can also be in the form of commentary and officiating. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">In the past women have not received the same treatment on the playing field. There is still some disparity in terms of the limits placed on the athlete and media involvement. However, as women begin to be treated equal in general society the effect may begin to be seen in the sporting arena as well. Equal treatment of women in sport is important for the health and wellbeing of the younger generation of females.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The artefact presented represents what is currently being done in order to increase women’s participation in all areas of sport. It mentions many of the social challenges that women face within the sporting. These challenges include the labelling of women sport separate to men’s sport; the limitations women receive in terms of duration of their events; and the question of whether a woman sports commentator is really interested and an expert in sport. In summary of the presented issue, women face social injustice on the sporting field, and the sporting media. This has a flow on effect to the opportunities that are available for women.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Guideline 6 - Analysis of the Artefact **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">To me personally women’s sport is very important. The main interest to me is increasing the participation and interest in women’s sport. Through this increase younger girls will begin to see the shift and hopefully follow the trend. This is crucial for when I finish university. I am studying to be a physical education teacher and this increase in interest will make my role easier. From my practical experience female students were hesitant to participate. The other important issue that I am interested is increasing the health status of women through sport and physical activity.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Finally, as a result of this assessment piece I have learnt how to critically analyse situations. It has also helped me to look beyond the surface of what appears to be happening.

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Australian Bureau of Statistics. (2011, July 29). //Sports and Physical Recreation: A Statistical Overview, Australia//. Retrieved October 20, 2011, from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Products/2F119C9289BDB079CA2578DC0001E45C?opendocument <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Australian Government. (2011). //Prime Minister and Ministery Histroy//. Retrieved October 20, 2011, from http://australia.gov.au/topics/government-and-parliament/prime-minister-and-ministry <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Australian Sport Commission. (2011, May 21). //New report reveals poor coverage of women in sport//. Retrieved October 20, 2011, from http://www.ausport.gov.au/news/asc_news/new_report_reveals_poor_coverage_of_women_in_sport <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Australian Sports Commission. (2001, April 24). //Backing Australia's Sporting Ability//. Retrieved October 1, 2011, from http://fulltext.ausport.gov.au/fulltext/2001/feddep/active.pdf <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Australian Sports Commission. (2011, May 24). //Government launches women in sport media grants//. Retrieved October 20, 2011, from http://www.ausport.gov.au/news/releases/story_433398_government_launches_women_in_sport_media_grants <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Australian Womensport and Recreation Association. (2011). //Australian Womensport and Recreation Association//. Retrieved October 1, 2011, from http://www.australianwomensport.com.au/default.asp?PageID=2&n=Home+ <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Brabeck, M., & Brown, L. (1997). Feminist theory and psychological practice. //Shaping the future of feminist psychology: Education, research, and practice//, 13-55. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Caldwell, A., & Scott, S. (2011, September 28). //Women off to frontline as men-only jobs axed//. Retrieved October 14, 2011, from The Courier Mail: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/women-to-frontline-as-men-only-jobs-axed/story-e6freooo-1226148500286 <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Corbin, C., Corbin, W., Welk, G., & Welk, K. (2009). //Concepts of Fitness and Wellness.// New York: McGraw Hill. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Federation Internationale De Nation. (2011). //Structure of Swimming//. Retrieved October 14, 2011, from http://www.fina.org/H2O/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=902&Itemid=566 <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Frey, James, H., & Stanley. (1991). Sport and Society. //Annual Review of Sociology//, 503-522. <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">United Nations. (2009). //United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women//. Retrieved October 1, 2011, from http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/cedaw/ <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Women's Tennis Association. (2011). //2011 Official Rulebook.// Retrieved October 14, 2011, from http://www.wtatennis.com/SEWTATour-Archive/Archive/AboutTheTour/rules.pdf <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Womensport Queensland. (2011). //Womensport Queensland Programs//. Retrieved October 1, 2011, from http://www.womensportqld.com.au/default.asp?PageID=813
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Guideline 7 – Reference list **

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Learning and Engagement Task

__<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Don’t break a sweat girl, you’ll bring attention to yourself __

<span style="font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Well done on your choice of artefact. It sums up the public health issue in a great way. To me, it had a similar affect to the scare campaigns the Queensland Government put out about risky behaviours such as drink driving and smoking. When I saw your artefact, the question raised in my mind was, are we ‘protecting’ the Australian society? We all know of the sexualising advertisements but do we realise how many young girls are seeing each day. After viewing your artefact I was confronted by how they showed them as an onslaught. I think an advertisement like this may wake parent up to how much and what their children see every day. The flow on effect from an advertisement like this one may be positive or negative. I think it would get parents talking to their younger children, particularly girls.

__<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">'Ooh La La, Did you see that'- How equitable is the playing field when it comes to women's sport __

<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The point you make about individual women’s sport being socially acceptable is one that had not dawned on me. I can see how this is very true. Girls grow up in school PE where majority of the class time is focused on team sport, (apart from in summer where primary schools do swimming). Many of those team sports in PE classes are focused and based around male dominated sports such as Soccer and Touch Football in which some girls have no interest because they do not want to be seen as or labelled something like ‘butch’. The challenge lies in creating inclusive PE classes where non-traditional sports such as The Ultimate Frisbee (T.U.F) are chosen.