What Does it Take to Make Womens Sport Mainstream

[GB72]

Just seen that the women have won again at cricket, the rugby team are world champions and we seem to have women challenging in most sports at the highest level. So, what does it take for the ladies to start taking crowds and newspaper column inches away from the often underperforming mens game.

 

[brysoni23]

Just seen that the women have won again at cricket, the rugby team are world champions and we seem to have women challenging in most sports at the highest level. So, what does it take for the ladies to start taking crowds and newspaper column inches away from the often underperforming mens game.

I think a lot of men are interested in male sports. So they get bigger crowds at events etc.
Not many women are interested in watching sports male or female and I don't think males would go see women's sports therefore less crowd's and less interest.

 

[pbrown7582]

Take the Wo out of it ......

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Things are moving forward. At least Sky are showing the cricket, rugby etc live these days so it is getting main stream TV coverage which has to be of some help. It does need the help of the printed word but with limited space and the all encompassing world of the PL to be dissected on a daily basis there will always be limited space. That said, a lot of the papers that have sport sections and pull out are getting more involved. It's a long road and a lot of obstacles and re-conceptions to be broken down along the way

 

[richart]

I got into the women's beach volleyball, and the hockey when Holland were playing at the Olympics.

 

[Liverbirdie]

I went to see the womens open at Birkdale, great day out, seeing great golf on a testing course.

 

[louise_a]

Most men think that lady's sport is a poor version of men's sport.

 

[richart]

Most men think that lady's sport is a poor version of men's sport.

Some of the major sports in this Country like football and cricket that would seem to be the case, but other sports like tennis, golf, swimming athletics etc not so much.

 

[CMAC]

Just seen that the women have won again at cricket, the rugby team are world champions and we seem to have women challenging in most sports at the highest level. So, what does it take for the ladies to start taking crowds and newspaper column inches away from the often underperforming mens game.

shorter skirts.

 

[Pin-seeker]

Maybe if more women started watching womens sport instead of watching Britains next top model or Real housewives of Orange County
It would be more mainstream.

 

[Fyldewhite]

If you look at the mainstream sports coverage on TV you have a list something like........Football, Rugby, Cricket, F1, Golf, Tennis and Athletics covering probably 90% of the air time. Of these, I'd say only tennis and athletics have a sizable following for the women's element and maybe golf to a lesser degree. That's because these sports have a long history of women's participation at a professional or elite level. There will always be the physical differences but what these sports need to be is a good spectacle in their own right rather than a very poor version of the men's game. For me, women's tennis/golf and athletics achieve this whereas rugby/soccer/cricket are simply miles away and will never generate serious interest as a result. Most sports outside the above list (I may have missed one or two that should be included but you get my drift) are minority interest even for men so not a chance on the women's side.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

I spoke to a keen golfer last night who says he seldom watches the PGA [American] tour now as it is so samey and boring.
He said that instead watches the LPGA tour and enjoys it.

Womens sport is different and will never reach the same level in mainstream mens sports.
That is why certain types of men will not give it a chance.

I remember years ago overhearing a conversation between two young bucks watching Laura Davies play a par 5.
She was on the fringe in two shots and one turns to the other and says I could have got there in two.

I very nearly turned round and said that he would probably have been 50 to 100 yards short but my wife was with me.

 

[NST]

Most men think that lady's sport is a poor version of men's sport.

Some of the major sports in this Country like football and cricket that would seem to be the case, but other sports like tennis, golf, swimming athletics etc not so much.

I'd say women's tennis could make better viewing in that them not hitting/serving as hard/fast as the men tends to make for longer rallies. As for golf women don't hit the ball as far as the men, so a lot of people will deem them not as good.

I wonder what the link between viewing figures and participation figures are for women's football, cricket, rugby etc v's men's.

 

[CMAC]

I spoke to a keen golfer last night who says he seldom watches the PGA [American] tour now as it is so samey and boring.
He said that instead watches the LPGA tour and enjoys it.

Womens sport is different and will never reach the same level in mainstream mens sports.
That is why certain types of men will not give it a chance.

I remember years ago overhearing a conversation between two young bucks watching Laura Davies play a par 5.
She was on the fringe in two shots and one turns to the other and says I could have got there in two.

I very nearly turned round and said that he would probably have been 50 to 100 yards short but my wife was with me.

I watched her drive the 17th on the Kings course Gleneagles. I have never seen anyone do that at the club and we had ex pro's returned to amateurs and quite a few scratch players.

What gets me is the moaners that say "ah but that should be a par4 not a par5 as the ladies play it" It doesnt matter what the par is, the fact is they are shooting 65 (not all obviously) shots round a par 69-72 regularly

 

[Papas1982]

I'd say women's tennis could make better viewing in that them not hitting/serving as hard/fast as the men tends to make for longer rallies. As for golf women don't hit the ball as far as the men, so a lot of people will deem them not as good.

I wonder what the link between viewing figures and participation figures are for women's football, cricket, rugby etc v's men's.

Did you see serena last night lol. I'd say tennis is probably the most integrated sport when compared to the men's game prize money and air time of majors being equally (wrongfully IMO). And it's still nowhere near as popular. Wimbledon can have a man women's game on and yet still the court with the more attractive participants gets better viewing figures.

Golf of I think is a sport that really can be viewed and enjoyed more equally. Courses are shorter but generally they will be playing to a par so the opportunity to enjoy good putting and short game is there. Just simply less off the tee.

imo women's sport will never catch up with men's. People watch things they can relate to. So men will watch male sports stars thinking why can't i do that. Where as when they view women's sport. The skills on show aren't generally the main concern. Until this decade I belive Kournikova was the highest paid female tennis star, and she's been retired for years and has zero winners cheques.

 

[Foxholer]

Most men think that lady's sport is a poor version of men's sport.

And, imo, in most cases they'd be right!

Tennis and Gymnastics are probably the only sports that spring to my mind where there are notable differences that could/would make watching the Womens 'game' preferable to the Mens one - ogling aside. Equestrian is totally equal - and they compete as equals too.

 

[Papas1982]

And, imo, in most cases they'd be right!

Tennis and Gymnastics are probably the only sports that spring to my mind where there are notable differences that could/would make watching the Womens 'game' preferable to the Mens one - ogling aside. Equestrian is totally equal - and they compete as equals too.

hardly surprising really been as the sport is performed by an animal and therefor far more important than the "jockey"!

 

[Foxholer]

hardly surprising really been as the sport is performed by an animal and therefor far more important than the "jockey"!

While I know what you mean - less dependence on physical attributes of the Rider - try getting a horse to do a Dressage Test on its own. But there is equality for 'jockeys'.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

[/B]
hardly surprising really been as the sport is performed by an animal and therefor far more important than the "jockey"!

The skill of the jockey in any horse event is extremely critical

It's the same as motor sport

Would suggest they are as important as each other

 

[richart]

And, imo, in most cases they'd be right!

Tennis and Gymnastics are probably the only sports that spring to my mind where there are notable differences that could/would make watching the Womens 'game' preferable to the Mens one - ogling aside. Equestrian is totally equal - and they compete as equals too.

What about Winter Olympic sports such as skiing, skating, curling, etc ? Any sport where skill is more important than power. Personally think that women's athletics and swimming is just as good, especially if a British woman is winning.:thup:

I think it is the sports that women have historically not competed in, or been very popular, like football, rugby, boxing, cricket etc that have a lot of catching up to do. The standard is very varied as well, and a lot of the time the sport is not competitive. I would though always rather watch a close three set tennis match played by two top women, than a one side men's match.