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1. A focus into the history, leadership and political issues
of Women in Sport

2. Introduction!
 The women in sport status is an ongoing topic of
interest, and for as long as we can remember the gap
between males and females, both on and off the
sporting field has been evident.
 Throughout this presentation we are going to recap
on significant moments in history, current leadership
problems and solutions, and finally touch on one of
the biggest political issues surrounding women in
sport – Body Image.

3. History
 Throughout the 18th & 19th
century women’s sport was
practically non existent.
 Leisure activities such as marbles, puzzles and skipping
were the only forms of ‘sports’ that women were allowed
or accepted to play.
 It was shown, that in those days women playing sport was
both ‘unladylike’ and potentially dangerous to their
reproductive lives (Stell, 1991).

4.  During the mid 18 hundreds swimming became popular, and many
women soon became drawn to this new and exciting era.
 However as you would expect from those early days males and
females were forbidden to share the swimming pool and therefore had
separate days and times in which they could occupy the facilities.
 As expected again, women did not receive equal time, and to stick
with the ‘fashion’ of that era they were required to wear neck to knee
woollen costumes (Stell, 1991). .

5.  As time past through the 1930’s more and more
women were pushing through the sporting world and
creating a new wave of confidence.
 They begin forming lobby groups to help aid and
support the women in sport status. These groups were
run by women for women (Rostkowska,2007).

6.  Between 1950 & 1970 is when women in sport really
took off. It was era that produced the likes of
Heather McKay and Margaret Court (Hums, 2007)

7.  These women made a name for themselves in their
chosen sports of squash and tennis, and still to this
day current athletes get compared and judge against
these empowering and successful female athletes (Hums,
2007).

8.  It was through this era in 1968 that women had finally
made history and stamped their name in the
international sporting books (Stell,1991).

9.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hj-ZBl6KCZ0

10. Enriqueta Basilio
In 1968 Enriqueata Basilio made
history when she was the first
female athlete to ever light the
Olympic Cauldron (Stell,1991).

11.  It is now a new era for Australian women, which started in
1984!
 The opening of the Australian Institute of sport in
Canberra was the chance for women to train with the best,
and to help further develop their talent and skills along
side male athletes.
 Thanks to the AIS we have produced some of the finest
and most success female athletes in the world!
(Commission,2011)

13. Leadership for Women in the
Sporting Industry
 Women have made tremendous strides, entering the
sporting industry as coaches, managers and
physiotherapist, however we are now seeing a major
growth of women as CEO’s and general managers of
our elite sporting bodies around the world (Hums,2007).

14. Do you recognise these women?
 Billie Jean King
 Babe Didrikson
 Anita DeFrantz

15.  Well these women have emerged as not only great
sporting athletes of their time but they have found
themselves as advocates, coaches and top executives
in the sporting industry throughout the United States
(Hums,2007).
 Let’s now take a local look...

17.  Seeing the success of these women is inspiring, however the success of
women in these organisations as not always been the case and is still
an issue today.
 In Germany for example, 34% of leadership roles are held by women
and in Norway less than 20% of leading positions in the sporting
industry are held by women (Stell,2007).

18.  It is so important to have females in these higher
government roles as it provides visible role models
and enables a women’s voice.
 It opens the door for women to have a greater impact
and influence in the sporting world (commission,2011).
 So what is Australia doing to help develop women’s
involvement in the sporting sector?

20.  The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has developed
financial grants called the ‘sport leadership grants’.
 There are many qualified, talented and experienced
Australian women with the ability to positively contribute
to the governance of organisations, however, have had
limited opportunity to be considered for a senior position
or a directorship. These grants provide women with
enough financial support and guidance to help them get
the qualifications, training and experience needed to help
break into leadership roles (commission,2011).

21. Political Issues
 The best way to show you the issues involved in
women in sport is simple.......

22.  http://youtu.be/c0dCV0b6wGs
 Now did any part of that advertisement tell or show
us that Stephanie Rice is an Olympic Gold Australian
Athlete?
 Answer = NO, and that is the issue!

23.  For the past decade female athletes both domestically and
internationally have been portrayed in the media through their looks
and body image.
 How the media portrays a particular sport or athlete can also impact
on both the sport’s or the athlete’s credibility.
 With that in mind, we need to ask ourselves what sort of images of
female athletes are commonly presented to readers, viewers and
listeners. And how often do newspapers, magazines, television and
radio devote the focus to the talent of women’s sport (commission,2008)?

24.  Did you know that 45% of media attention towards female athletes is
expressed in a sexual way (McCabe,2001).
 As we have seen Stephanie Rice is not promoted in the media for
her talent. Yet she has won 3 Olympic gold medals?
 The media has used Steph not for talent but her looks.
 You wonder if she was less attractive would she get the media
attention that she does?

25.  As women, what do we want from the media?
A level playing field and equal showcasing time.
 In 2008 these figures definitely show that the media has a
long way to go in reaching the goal we as females want.
 9% of all coverage done on sport was focused on
women
 While 81% of all coverage on sport was focused on men
(commission, towards a level playing field).

26.  Is there anything being done about this issue?
 An organisation called Womensport Australia, which is a
non- government organisation, is representing women and
helping to improve the media coverage of women. They
have initiated research that also helps further build the
picture of media coverage of women’s sport.
 Their focus is not only aimed at National and
International events, they also want to push for local and
state competitive events to get the attention they deserve
(commission).

27. Conclusion
 As shown, the women in sport topic is a very
interesting and broad area within the business politics
and sport subject.
 There are so many areas that could be addressed
within women in sport, this particular presentation
has focused on the history, the leadership
involvement in the sporting industry and it also
focused on political issues surrounding women in
sport.

29.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wGwlh5nKmU&featu

30. References
 Commission, A. S. A history of women in Australian Sport. Retrieved October 11, 2011,
from www.ausport.gov.au/participating/women/about/history
 Commission, A. S. About us. Retrieved October 19, 2011, from
www.ausport.gov.au/aboutus
 Commission, A. S. Sport leadership for women. Retrieved October 11, 2011, from
www.ausport.gov.au/participating/women/get_invovled/grants_and_scholarships
 Commission, A. S. (2008). Towards a level playing field. Canberra, ACT: Journalism &
Media Research centre at the Australian Sports Commission.
 Hums, M. (2007). Women as Leaders in Sport: Impact and Influence. Oxon Hill, MD USA:
AAHPERD Publishers.
 McCabe, M. (2001). Parents, Peers, and Media Influences on body image. 225-239.
 Rostkowska, E. (2007). Women and Sport. A historical outline and contemporary social
and physiological issues , 169-174.
 Stell, M. (1991). Half the Race. North Ryde: Angus and Robertson Publishers.
 Stewart, B. (2004). Australian Sport: Better by design. Milton Park: Routledge Publishers.
 All pictures are from Google images