The rise in attention for women's sport
The UEFA Women's Euros 2022 saw an unprecedented amount of attention for the female sport, with record attendance numbers in stadiums across England. The tournament saw 365 million views globally and was shown by more than 60 broadcast partners across the world, cementing itself as the most watched women’s Euros ever.
This bodes well for the attention beginning to be shown towards female sports overall. 18-year-old, Roisa Hughes plays netball for Scotland U21s and Strathclyde University. In addition, she also features for The Bellahouston Bandits, who have recently come off the back of an undefeated season, finishing top of the Glasgow Premier League.
Ms Hughes said: “I think the unexpected turnout and result, provided people with a platform to discuss gender inequality in sports and try and debunk the stereotypes and negative expectations that girls just won’t be as good as their male equivalents.”
The 2022 Euros creating the opportunity for conversations to be had about women’s sports is a positive but it's not just football that can help push women's sport to bigger and better places. British netball for example saw a large increase during the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Ms Hughes said: “There has definitely been an increase in the attention netball has received by the general public. The English Roses winning the Commonwealth Games in 2018 was a huge boost for British netball. There are now English players that are full-time athletes and are not required to work to make a living.
“Additionally, the British league being televised on Sky Sports allows people to have larger access to the sport and viewing of top-class netball. In 2021 Sky announced a “multi-year deal”, which further expands the coverage.”
This shows strides not only in women's football but in all areas for female athletes striving to make a living through a career in sports- which has recently been made a possibility through sports that fund both sexes rather than the one.
Seeing attention for women’s sports on the same level as men's is wishful thinking but it's not too far out of reach.
Ms Hughes said: “I definitely think women’s sport will continue to develop as people recognise there’s a huge market for it and an abundance of girls interested in being involved, if given the same opportunity.
“I think it will be difficult for it to become as highly regarded as men's because that will require an entire shift in perspective for a lot of society - it has been a prevalent notion throughout our existence that women are less capable to some degree, and it’s been unconsciously instilled for generations.
“This is a difficult issue to battle with, however, there are lots of people working to alter this position. I think the right steps are currently being taken and hopefully it’s a positive path from here.”