Women's sport in Australia: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Fanny Durack 03 State Library of New South Wales a468005u.jpg|thumb|right|175px|[[Fanny Durack]], Stockholm Olympics, 1912<ref>[http://digital.sl.nsw.gov.au/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?embedded=true&toolbar=false&dps_pid=FL946083 a468005u]</ref>]] |
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⚫ | '''Women's sport in Australia''' started |
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⚫ | '''Women's sport in Australia''' started in the colonial era. Sport made its way into the school curriculum for girls by the 1890s. [[World War II]] had little impact on women's sport in the country. After the war, women's sport diversified as a result of new immigrants to the country. In the 1990s, the percentage of media coverage for women's sport on radio, television and in newspapers was not at parity with male sport. Basketball is nominally professional in Australia but players do not earn enough from the sport to compete full-time. Some Australians have gone overseas to play professional sport. Many television spectators for Australian sport are women. In person, netball has large percentage of female spectators. The Australian Federal and State governments have encouraged women to participate in all areas of [[Women's sports|sport]]. |
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==History== |
==History== |
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[[File:Winnaressen dames 200m Puck Brouwer, Bestanddeelnr 905-2385 (cropped & rotated).jpg|thumb|left|[[Marjorie Jackson-Nelson]] (centre) with [[Bertha Brouwer]] and [[Nadezhda Khnykina-Dvalishvili|Nadezhda Khnykina]] following the [[Athletics at the 1952 Summer Olympics – Women's 200 metres|200 meters at the 1952 Summer Olympics]]]] |
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⚫ | In the colonial era, popular women's sports that were encouraged were often ones that did not challenge traditional gender definitions and allowed for men and women to compete fairly against one another.<ref name="Howell-Howell-89">{{Cite book |last1=Howell |first1=Max |last2=Howell |first2=Reet |last3=Brown |first3=David W. |title=The Sporting Image: A Pictorial History of Queenslanders at Play|publisher=University of Queensland Press |year=1989 |page=89 |location=Brisbane |isbn=0-7022-2206-2}}</ref><ref name=stell-242>{{Cite book |last1=Stell |first1=Marion K. |title=Half the Race, A history of Australian women in sport|publisher=[[ |
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⚫ | In the colonial era, popular women's sports that were encouraged were often ones that did not challenge traditional gender definitions and allowed for men and women to compete fairly against one another.<ref name="Howell-Howell-89">{{Cite book |last1=Howell |first1=Max |last2=Howell |first2=Reet |last3=Brown |first3=David W. |title=The Sporting Image: A Pictorial History of Queenslanders at Play|publisher=University of Queensland Press |year=1989 |page=89 |location=Brisbane |isbn=0-7022-2206-2}}</ref><ref name=stell-242>{{Cite book |last1=Stell |first1=Marion K. |title=Half the Race, A history of Australian women in sport|publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |year=1991 |location=North Ryde, Australia |isbn=0-207-16971-3 |page=242}}</ref> By the 1880s, a number of sports had been integrated into physical education courses for girls at schools in Victoria. The sports chosen and the methods of teaching them to girls borrowed from a British sporting and educational tradition.<ref name=stell-31>{{Cite book |last1=Stell |first1=Marion K. |title=Half the Race, A history of Australian women in sport|publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |year=1991 |location=North Ryde, Australia |isbn=0-207-16971-3 |page=31}}</ref> At the same time, a number of women's sporting contest were taking place in Australia including the first bicycling race in the world for women held in Ashfield, New South Wales,<ref name=ascweb>{{cite web|title=A history of women and sport in Australia|url=http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/women/about/history|work=Australian Sports Commission website|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> and the first Australian championship in golf, open to both genders, was the Australian Ladies' Championship played at [[Geelong]] in Victoria in 1894.<ref name=ascweb/> |
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There were changes in the social acceptability of women's sport in Australia taking place by the 1900s and some sports like fencing began to become more open to female participation.<ref name="Howell-Howell">{{Cite book |last1=Howell |first1=Max |last2=Howell |first2=Reet |last3=Brown |first3=David W. |title=The Sporting Image: A Pictorial History of Queenslanders at Play |page=85 |publisher=University of Queensland Press |year=1989 |location=Brisbane |isbn=0-7022-2206-2}}</ref> |
There were changes in the social acceptability of women's sport in Australia taking place by the 1900s and some sports like fencing began to become more open to female participation.<ref name="Howell-Howell">{{Cite book |last1=Howell |first1=Max |last2=Howell |first2=Reet |last3=Brown |first3=David W. |title=The Sporting Image: A Pictorial History of Queenslanders at Play |page=85 |publisher=University of Queensland Press |year=1989 |location=Brisbane |isbn=0-7022-2206-2}}</ref> |
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[[File:Betty Cuthbert, Marlene Mathews, Heather Armitage, 1956 Olympics.jpg|thumb|[[Betty Cuthbert]], 100m final, 1956 Olympics]] |
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During the 1900s, there also began the creation of women's only sport clubs, including the Victorian Ladies' Bowling Association, which was established in 1907 as the first women's bowls association in the country.<ref name=pollard>{{cite book|last=Pollard|first=Jack|title=Ampol's sporting record|year=1968|publisher=Jack Pollard|location=North Sydney|isbn=0909950229}}</ref> Women's only sport organisations continued to be formed for the next thirty years. The bowls association was followed up by the creation of the Australian Women's Hockey Association in 1910.<ref name=pollard/> A decade later, the Australian Women's Rowing Council on 13 May 1920 at the Telegraph Chambers [[Brisbane, Queensland]].<ref name=pollard/> In 1931, the Australian Women's Cricket Council (AWCC) was formed in March 1931.<ref name=pollard/> In 1932, the Australian Women's Amateur Union was formed to manage women's track and field.<ref name=pollard/> |
During the 1900s, there also began the creation of women's only sport clubs, including the Victorian Ladies' Bowling Association, which was established in 1907 as the first women's bowls association in the country.<ref name=pollard>{{cite book|last=Pollard|first=Jack|title=Ampol's sporting record|year=1968|publisher=Jack Pollard|location=North Sydney|isbn=0909950229}}</ref> Women's only sport organisations continued to be formed for the next thirty years. The bowls association was followed up by the creation of the Australian Women's Hockey Association in 1910.<ref name=pollard/> A decade later, the Australian Women's Rowing Council on 13 May 1920 at the Telegraph Chambers [[Brisbane, Queensland]].<ref name=pollard/> In 1931, the Australian Women's Cricket Council (AWCC) was formed in March 1931.<ref name=pollard/> In 1932, the Australian Women's Amateur Union was formed to manage women's track and field.<ref name=pollard/> |
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Coming out of the second World War, women's sport in the country was in a better place than sport in other countries. |
Coming out of the second World War, women's sport in the country was in a better place than sport in other countries. Many of the sport organisations for women remained intact during the war period and held competitions. Women did not have to deal with issues like food rationing, petrol rationing, population disbursement, and other issues facing women in post-war Europe. Sport had continued on largely undisturbed.<ref name=Stell-100>{{Cite book |last1=Stell |first1=Marion K. |title=Half the Race, A history of Australian women in sport|publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |year=1991 |location=North Ryde, Australia |isbn=0-207-16971-3 |page=100}}</ref> At the end of [[World War II]], Australia saw an increase in immigrants coming to the country, with many coming from places that had not previously sent immigrants to the country before. The influx of newcomers helped to introduce and led to participation in sports that had previously not enjoyed much popularity in Australia.<ref name=sporting-nation-24>{{cite book|page=24|title=A sporting nation, Celebrating Australia's sporting life|editor-last=Cliff|editor-first=Paul|isbn=0-642-10704-1|year=1999|location=Canberra, Australia|publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref><ref name=immigrant>{{cite book|title=One-eyed, a view of Australian sport|first1=Douglas|last1=Booth|author-link1=Doug Booth|first2=Colin|last2=Tatz|year=2000|pages=140–142|publisher=Allen & Ulwin|location=St Leonards, New South Wales|isbn=1-86508-055-1}}</ref> |
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By the 1970s, amalgamation between male and female only sport clubs began to take place. In 1977, [[Athletics Australia|Australian Athletic Union]] was formed. This was a merger of the men's and women's athletics associations.<ref name=athletics>{{cite web|title=History of Organisation|url=http://www.athletics.com.au/home/inside/athletics_australia/aahistory|work=Athletics Australia website| |
By the 1970s, amalgamation between male and female only sport clubs began to take place. In 1977, [[Athletics Australia|Australian Athletic Union]] was formed. This was a merger of the men's and women's athletics associations.<ref name=athletics>{{cite web|title=History of Organisation|url=http://www.athletics.com.au/home/inside/athletics_australia/aahistory|work=Athletics Australia website|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> This would continue into the 2000s, with [[Golf Australia]] forming in 2006 after the Australian Golf Union (AGU) and Women's Golf Australia (WGA) agreed to merge.<ref name=golf>{{cite web|title=History of Women's Golf Australia|url=http://www.golf.org.au/default.aspx?s=iframepage&iframe=http://www.golfaustralia.org.au/site/_content/document/00007456-source.pdf|work=Golf Australia website|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> |
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In 2005, The Australian Womensport & Recreation Association Inc (AWRA) was incorporated in July.<ref name=awsra>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.australianwomensport.com.au/default.asp?PageID=157&n=Strategic+Plan+20092D2011|work=Australian Womensport & Recreation Association website| |
In 2005, The Australian Womensport & Recreation Association Inc (AWRA) was incorporated in July.<ref name=awsra>{{cite web|title=History|url=http://www.australianwomensport.com.au/default.asp?PageID=157&n=Strategic+Plan+20092D2011|work=Australian Womensport & Recreation Association website|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> |
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===Timeline=== |
===Timeline=== |
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*1934 – First cricket test match played at Brisbane Cricket Ground between Australia and England.<ref name=pollard/> |
*1934 – First cricket test match played at Brisbane Cricket Ground between Australia and England.<ref name=pollard/> |
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*1985 – [[Dawn Fraser]] as the first female inductee in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.<ref name=sahof>{{cite |
*1985 – [[Dawn Fraser]] as the first female inductee in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.<ref name=sahof>{{cite web|title=About Us|url=https://sahof.org.au/history/|work=Sport Australia Hall of Fame website|access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref> |
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⚫ | *2010 – 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport was held in Sydney between 20–23 May.<ref>{{cite web|title=5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport|url=http://www.australianwomensport.com.au/default.asp?PageID=219|work=Australian Womensport and Recreation Association Inc wEBSITE|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> |
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2004 - poopy collins born |
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web|title=About Us|url=http://www.sahof.org.au/about-us/history/|work=Sport Australia Hall of Fame website|accessdate=30 July 2013}}</ref> |
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⚫ | *2010 – 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport was held in Sydney between 20–23 May.<ref>{{cite web|title=5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport|url=http://www.australianwomensport.com.au/default.asp?PageID=219|work=Australian Womensport and Recreation Association Inc wEBSITE| |
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==Participation== |
==Participation== |
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[[File:StateLibQld_1_186315_Toowoomba_netball_team,_1932.jpg|thumb|250px|Toowoomba Netball team, 1932.]] |
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⚫ | [[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] 2011–12 survey found that nearly 64% (around 5.8 million) of females aged 15 years and over reported that they had participated in sport and physical recreation at least once during the 12 months prior to interview.<ref name=abs>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Products/4156.0.55.001~June+2013~Main+Features~Women+in+Sport+The+State+of+Play+2013?OpenDocument|title=Women in Sport : the State of Play 2013|work= Australian Bureau of Statistics – Perspectives on Sport, June 2013 |date=18 June 2013| |
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⚫ | [[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] 2011–12 survey found that nearly 64% (around 5.8 million) of females aged 15 years and over reported that they had participated in sport and physical recreation at least once during the 12 months prior to interview.<ref name=abs>{{cite web|url=http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Products/4156.0.55.001~June+2013~Main+Features~Women+in+Sport+The+State+of+Play+2013?OpenDocument|title=Women in Sport : the State of Play 2013|work= Australian Bureau of Statistics – Perspectives on Sport, June 2013 |date=18 June 2013|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> The top ten sport and recreation activities were: Walking for exercise (2,784,700), fitness/gymnasium (1,745,700), swimming/diving (729,200), jogging/running (585,400), cycling/bmx (490,600), netball (410,500), tennis (314,200), yoga (298, 900), dancing/ballet (229, 100) and bushwalking (216,800).<ref name=abs/> These statistics do not cover children. The survey found that an estimated 734,700 females were involved in either a non-playing capacity only or in both a playing and non-playing capacity: 273,000 in coaching, 264,300 in scoring or timekeeping, 256,500 in administration, 115,100 in umpiring or refereeing and 60,000 in medical support.<ref name=abs/> |
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==Spectatorship== |
==Spectatorship== |
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{{update|section|date=March 2019}} |
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[[File:Dawn Fraser and Ilsa Konrads at the Australian National Swimming Championships and Olympic Trials, North Sydney Olympic Pool, 27 February 1960.jpeg|thumb|left|[[Dawn Fraser]] and [[Ilsa Konrads]] at the Australian National Swimming Championships and Olympic Trials, North Sydney Olympic Pool, 27 February 1960]] |
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[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] survey ''Spectator Attendance at Sporting Events, 2009–10'' reported the following findings regarding female attendance at sporting events. Survey found that an estimated 3.3 million females attended one or more sporting events as spectators. This represented 37% of females aged 15 years and over in Australia and 54% of females aged 15–17 years. The top ten sports in attendance were: [[Australian rules football]] (1,171,100), horse racing (925,000), rugby league (594,700), motor sports (456,800), |
[[Australian Bureau of Statistics]] survey ''Spectator Attendance at Sporting Events, 2009–10'' reported the following findings regarding female attendance at sporting events. Survey found that an estimated 3.3 million females attended one or more sporting events as spectators. This represented 37% of females aged 15 years and over in Australia and 54% of females aged 15–17 years. The top ten sports in attendance were: [[Australian rules football]] (1,171,100), horse racing (925,000), rugby league (594,700), motor sports (456,800), soccer (354,800), rugby union (209,300), cricket (190,500), harness racing (190,200), tennis (171,300) and netball (123,000).<ref name=abs/> |
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For women's only sporting events, netball has the highest attendance. In 2013, netball's [[ANZ Championship]] had an 18 per cent increase on both 2011 and 2010 seasons with over 134,000 attending the first nine rounds of the season.<ref name=netballnews>{{cite news|url=http://www.netball.asn.au/newsitem.asp?id=34529&orgID=1|title=Crowd numbers on the rise for the ANZ Championship|work=Netball Australia News |date=13 June 2013| |
For women's only sporting events, netball has the highest attendance. In 2013, netball's [[ANZ Championship]] had an 18 per cent increase on both 2011 and 2010 seasons with over 134,000 attending the first nine rounds of the season.<ref name=netballnews>{{cite news|url=http://www.netball.asn.au/newsitem.asp?id=34529&orgID=1|title=Crowd numbers on the rise for the ANZ Championship|work=Netball Australia News |date=13 June 2013|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> |
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In April 2024, the [[2023–24 A-League Women]] season set the record for the most attended season of any women's sport in Australian history, with the season recording a total attendance of 284,551 on 15 April 2024,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Tu |first1=Jessie |title=Women's A-League games most attended season of women's sport in Australian history |url=https://womensagenda.com.au/life/sport/womens-a-league-games-most-attended-season-of-womens-sport-in-australian-history/ |website=Women's Agenda |date=15 April 2024 |access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=History made! 🥳⚽️🇦🇺 The most successful season in Liberty A-League history has set a new benchmark for women's sport in Australia. |url=https://www.facebook.com/aleagues/posts/pfbid026jZEvemRaM4aYYbCn3c9ToRRrATbwMMGiGjW8Wojjh5Q5eyj1ZJbSkhfCBPJnFYnl |website=Facebook |publisher=A-Leagues |access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Women's A-League down to four contenders after first stage of finals series |url=https://www.friendsoffootballnz.com/2024/04/14/womens-a-league-down-to-four-contenders-after-first-stage-of-finals-series/ |website=Friends of Football |date=14 April 2024 |access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=INVEST IN WOMEN'S SPORT. The Tillies effect 😤 In a record-breaking week one of the Finals Series, the A-League became the most attended season, of any women's sport, in Australia ever. Surpassing the AFLW 2023 cumulative attendance total for the regular season + finals series. |url=https://www.instagram.com/thefemaleathleteproject/p/C5wsDaORaqg/ |website=Instagram |publisher=The Female Athlete Project |access-date=15 April 2024}}</ref> and finishing with a final total attendance of 312,199.<ref>{{cite web |title=Thank you for making season 2023/24 of the Liberty A-League the biggest in the 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 🇦🇺❤️ A 127% increase on last year. Just incredible. |url=https://www.facebook.com/aleagues/posts/pfbid02As4uLdNQMiSkuWeaeC6kTBv926TMqJdQ5MSKihGd7TubKEstb4tFPMKj5UJDbiSfl |website=Facebook |publisher=A-Leagues |access-date=9 May 2024}}</ref> |
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==Media coverage== |
==Media coverage== |
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[[File:Shane Gould (cropped).jpg|right|thumb|[[Shane Gould]] swimmer who won five Olympic medals, including three gold, at the 1972 Munich Olympics.]] |
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⚫ | The lack of media coverage of women's sport in Australia has presented challenges to female participants in several areas, including providing few role models and making it hard to acquire money from sponsors.<ref name=mediacoverage>{{cite web|url=http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/assets/pubs/industry/info_mediawomen.pdf|title=Media Coverage of Women in Sport| |
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⚫ | The lack of media coverage of women's sport in Australia has presented challenges to female participants in several areas, including providing few role models and making it hard to acquire money from sponsors.<ref name=mediacoverage>{{cite web|url=http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/assets/pubs/industry/info_mediawomen.pdf|title=Media Coverage of Women in Sport|access-date=12 January 2012|location=Sydney, New South Wales, Australia|publisher=NSW Sport and Recreation|year=1998|author=NSW Sport and Recreation|page=1}}</ref> In 1996, across the mediums of newspaper, radio and television, the worst coverage as a percentage of total sport coverage for women was on radio with only 1.4% of the coverage being for women's sport. Newspaper coverage was the best at 10.7%, with television coming in second with 2% of all sport coverage being exclusively for women's sport.<ref name=mediacoverage/> The newspaper coverage was significantly better than four years earlier, where the total coverage of women's sport was 4.5%.<ref name=mediacoverage/> Newspaper coverage had issues: Most of the women's sport coverage came on days when there was little news regarding men's sport.<ref name=mediacoverage2>{{cite web|url=http://www.dsr.nsw.gov.au/assets/pubs/industry/info_mediawomen.pdf|access-date=12 January 2012|title=Media Coverage of Women in Sport|location=Sydney, New South Wales, Australia|publisher=NSW Sport and Recreation|year=1998|author=NSW Sport and Recreation|page=2}}</ref> |
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A recent study showed that interest in women's sports would be bigger if the sports were streamed as free-to-air broadcasting. Meaning, the women sports would be free to watch without any subscriptions needed. Social media is a great example of this. As far as social media rankings in watching women's sports, Facebook is first (87%), YouTube is second (56%), and Instagram is third (43%).<ref name="nielsen.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nielsen.com/au/en/insights/article/2019/girl-power-measuring-the-rise-of-women-s-sport-in-australia|title=Girl Power: Measuring the Rise of Women's Sport in Australia|website=www.nielsen.com|language=en-US|access-date=2020-04-14}}</ref> |
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The Rebel Women's Big Bash (WBBL) and the Women's Australian Rules Football league (AFLW) are two good examples of platforms that have attracted a following. Women's Australian cricket currently has a 43% interest percentage.<ref name="nielsen.com"/> |
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In 2010 a report by [[University of New South Wales]] Journalism and Media Research Centre and [[Media Monitors]] found that coverage of women in sport made up only 9% of all sports coverage in Australian television news. But coverage on male sport occupied 81% of television news reporting. There was 10% of coverage being non-gender specific.<ref name=media>{{cite web|url=https://secure.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/364109/ASC_Towards_a_Level_Playing_Field_LR.pdf|title=Towards a Level Playing Field:sport and gender in Australian media January 2008 – July 2009|work=Australian Sports Commission|year=2010| |
In 2010 a report by [[University of New South Wales]] Journalism and Media Research Centre and [[Media Monitors]] found that coverage of women in sport made up only 9% of all sports coverage in Australian television news. But coverage on male sport occupied 81% of television news reporting. There was 10% of coverage being non-gender specific.<ref name=media>{{cite web|url=https://secure.ausport.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/364109/ASC_Towards_a_Level_Playing_Field_LR.pdf|title=Towards a Level Playing Field:sport and gender in Australian media January 2008 – July 2009|work=Australian Sports Commission|year=2010|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> |
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==Professional sport== |
==Professional sport== |
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[[File:Lauren Jackson at day two of the Opals camp.jpg|thumb|left|[[Lauren Jackson]] basketball player who is considered one of the greatest female basketball players of all time, winning multiple WNBA championships and Olympic medals.]] |
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⚫ | Now, there are significantly fewer women than men earning an income from sport in Australia. Traditionally professional female golfers, tennis players and surfers have been able to earn an income from international circuits. There are a limited number of high-profile female Olympic athletes that have been able to supplement government grants and competition earnings with sponsorships. The lack of sponsorship for female athletes was highlighted when [[Sally Pearson]], 100 metres hurdles gold medalist from the [[2012 Summer Olympics|2012 London Olympics]], had lost sponsors after the Games.<ref name=pearson>{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/sally-pearson-losing-sponsors-despite-gold-medal-winning-efforts/story-fnduczvk-1226586377332|title=Sally Pearson losing sponsors despite gold medal winning efforts|author=Emma Greenwood |work=[[Gold Coast Bulletin]]|date=26 February 2013|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> |
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⚫ | In recent years,{{When|date=March 2016}} athletes from team sports such as basketball and to a lesser extent football and netball have been able to derive some income from sport. In 2009, the salaries for average players in the [[Women's National Basketball League]] were not high enough to allow them to play basketball full-time: They made between $5,000 and $10,000 a year.<ref name=bb-australia>{{cite web|url=http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/158208/Making_Your_Career_In_Basketball.pdf| |
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⚫ | In recent years,{{When|date=March 2016}} athletes from team sports such as basketball and to a lesser extent football and netball have been able to derive some income from sport. In 2009, the salaries for average players in the [[Women's National Basketball League]] were not high enough to allow them to play basketball full-time: They made between $5,000 and $10,000 a year.<ref name=bb-australia>{{cite web|url=http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/158208/Making_Your_Career_In_Basketball.pdf|access-date=12 January 2012|title=Making Your Career in Basketball, A guide to the Australian Basketball Pathway (with up to date information on scholarships to both Australian and US Universities)|author=Basketball Australia|author-link=Basketball Australia|year=2009|location=Australia|page=9}}</ref> Australian athletes have gone overseas to play professional sport. Amongst these are [[Lauren Jackson]], [[Erin Phillips]], [[Kristi Harrower]], [[Belinda Snell]] and [[Penny Taylor]], who played basketball in the United States.<ref name=bb-australia-1>{{cite web|url=http://www.tams.act.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/158208/Making_Your_Career_In_Basketball.pdf|access-date=12 January 2012|title=Making Your Career in Basketball, A guide to the Australian Basketball Pathway (with up to date information on scholarships to both Australian and US Universities)|author=Basketball Australia|year=2009|location=Australia|page=1}}</ref> |
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In recent years,{{When|date=March 2016}} netball players have been able to earn an income particularly since the establishment of the [[ANZ Championship]]. However, in 2013 [[Australia national netball team|Australian Diamonds]] players argued for their current average salary of $10,000 a year to be boosted to $20,000.<ref name="netball">{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/sport/netball/diamonds-up-for-a-fight-in-pay-dispute-20130404-2h9u2.html|title=Diamonds 'up for a fight' in pay dispute|work=[[The Age]]|date=5 April 2013|accessdate=30 July 2013}}</ref> During the dispute, the CEO of [[Netball Australia]], [[Kate Palmer (netball)|Kate Palmer]], stated that seven of the current Diamonds earned more than $100,000 from netball and related activities, with four earning more than $150,000.<ref name="netball"/> |
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[[File:Ellyse_Perry-Canberra_United.jpg|thumb|175px|right|[[Ellyse Perry]] cricket and soccer player who has excelled in both sports, representing Australia in multiple World Cups and Olympic Games.]] |
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⚫ | There have been issues involving the national soccer team, the Matildas and their pay. On a national level, the pay disparity between men and women has caused issues. The Matildas earn just $500 an international game, while the male national team, the Socceroos earn more than $6500 per game.<ref>https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/world-cup-2015-guide/womens-professional-leagues-in-notable-countries/australia-by-davis/</ref> The |
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⚫ | This tour was very significant, as it was only a few months after the success at the World Cup. They were also coming up against the current world champions, so it was a big chance to demonstrate the continued rise of |
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In recent years, netball players have been able to earn an income particularly since the establishment of the [[ANZ Championship]]. However, in 2013 [[Australia national netball team|Australian Diamonds]] players argued for their current average salary of $10,000 a year to be boosted to $20,000.<ref name="netball">{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/sport/netball/diamonds-up-for-a-fight-in-pay-dispute-20130404-2h9u2.html|title=Diamonds 'up for a fight' in pay dispute|work=[[The Age]]|date=5 April 2013|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> During the dispute, the CEO of [[Netball Australia]], [[Kate Palmer (netball)|Kate Palmer]], stated that seven of the current Diamonds earned more than $100,000 from netball and related activities, with four earning more than $150,000.<ref name="netball"/> After the 2016 netball season, Netball Australia pulled out of the ANZ Championship<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espn.com/netball/story/_/id/15730409/why-netball-australia-was-right-ditch-new-zealand-netball |title=Why Netball Australia had to separate from New Zealand to secure dominant future |first=Brittany |last=Mitchell |website=ESPN.com |date=25 August 2016 |access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> in favour of setting up its own national league, which launched the next season as [[Suncorp Super Netball]]. In the first season of the new league, the minimum player wage was set at over $27,000, more than double the minimum in the final season of the ANZ Championship.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/swoop/netball-payday-how-it-will-work-for-players-and-clubs/news-story/7f2ec8ac1c3cfc12b6d78ec32ec89b21 |title=Netball payday: How it will work for players and clubs |first=Amanda |last=Lulham |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]] |location=[[Sydney]] |date=24 September 2016 |access-date=25 March 2018}}</ref> The minimum player wage rose to $30,000 for the 2019 season.<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://supernetball.com.au/2018/06/20/suncorp-super-netball-player-payment-rise-in-2019/ |title=Suncorp Super Netball Player Payment Rise In 2019 |publisher=Suncorp Super Netball |date=20 June 2018 |access-date=27 July 2018}}</ref> |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | There have been issues involving the national soccer team, the Matildas and their pay. On a national level, the pay disparity between men and women has caused issues. The Matildas earn just $500 an international game, while the male national team, the Socceroos earn more than $6500 per game.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://sites.duke.edu/wcwp/tournament-guides/world-cup-2015-guide/womens-professional-leagues-in-notable-countries/australia-by-davis/ | title=Westfiel W-League – Australia Women's League | date=11 April 2015 }}</ref> The men's team made more money in one game at the World Cup than the women would have if they made it to the final. Comparing the two teams success, the Matildas are currently ranked 5th in the world, while the men sit at 50.<ref>[https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/women FIFA.com]</ref> This tension eventually boiled over, as the Matildas boycotted an international tour of the US in 2015 in protest against the lack of financial reward they were receiving. |
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⚫ | This tour was very significant, as it was only a few months after the success at the World Cup. They were also coming up against the current world champions, so it was a big chance to demonstrate the continued rise of women's soccer in Australia. However, following unsuccessful negotiations with the FFA they decided to protest and boycott the tour. |
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⚫ | The dispute centred on a number of objectives some of which are interrelated, and can be broken down as follows:<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/sep/11/matildas-player-strike-what-are-the-key-pay-demands-and-disputes-ahead | title=Matildas player strike: What are the key pay demands and disputes ahead? | website=[[TheGuardian.com]] | date=11 September 2015 }}</ref> |
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(i) provision of basic minimum standards setting out the time commitment and requirements necessary for high performance standards in international football; |
(i) provision of basic minimum standards setting out the time commitment and requirements necessary for high performance standards in international football; |
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=== Olympics === |
=== Olympics === |
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[[File:Sally Pearson Daegu 2011.jpg|thumb|[[Sally Pearson]] [[hurdler]] who won gold at the 2012 London Olympics and was a dominant force in the sport during her career.]] |
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In 1912, [[Fanny Durack]] and [[Mina Wylie]] became the first female athletes to represent Australia at the [[Summer Olympics]]. At the [[1912 Summer Olympics|1912 Stockholm Olympics]], Durack won the gold medal and Wylie the silver medal in the Women's 100m Freestyle.<ref name=ascweb/> |
In 1912, [[Fanny Durack]] and [[Mina Wylie]] became the first female athletes to represent Australia at the [[Summer Olympics]]. At the [[1912 Summer Olympics|1912 Stockholm Olympics]], Durack won the gold medal and Wylie the silver medal in the Women's 100m Freestyle.<ref name=ascweb/> |
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In 1952, [[Nancy Burley]] and [[Gweneth Moloney]] became Australia's first female Winter Olympians. They competed at figure skating at [[1952 Winter Olympics|1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway]].<ref name=gordon>{{cite book|last=Gordon|first=Harry|title=Australia at the Olympic Games|year=1994|publisher=University of |
In 1952, [[Nancy Burley]] and [[Gweneth Moloney]] became Australia's first female Winter Olympians. They competed at figure skating at [[1952 Winter Olympics|1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway]].<ref name=gordon>{{cite book|last=Gordon|first=Harry|title=Australia at the Olympic Games|year=1994|publisher=University of Queensland Press|location=Brisbane|isbn=0702226270}}</ref> |
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In 1991, [[Helen Brownlee]] became the first woman elected to the [[Australian Olympic Committee]]'s Executive Board.<ref name=gordon/> |
In 1991, [[Helen Brownlee]] became the first woman elected to the [[Australian Olympic Committee]]'s Executive Board.<ref name=gordon/> |
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In 1988, at the [[1988 Summer Olympics|Seoul Olympics]], the [[Australia women's national field hockey team|Australian women's hockey team]] ''Hockeyroos'', became the first Australian women's team sport to win an Olympic gold medal.<ref name=gordon/> The Hockeyroos went on to win the gold medal at the [[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Atlanta]] and [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney]] Games.<ref name=hockey>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockey.org.au/News/ArtMID/851/ArticleID/197/Hockeyroos-Crowned-Australian-Women%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98Team-of-the-Century%E2%80%99|title=Hockeyroos Crowned Australian Women's 'Team of the Century'|work=Hockey Australia News|date=26 February 2013| |
In 1988, at the [[1988 Summer Olympics|Seoul Olympics]], the [[Australia women's national field hockey team|Australian women's hockey team]] ''Hockeyroos'', became the first Australian women's team sport to win an Olympic gold medal.<ref name=gordon/> The Hockeyroos went on to win the gold medal at the [[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Atlanta]] and [[2000 Summer Olympics|2000 Sydney]] Games.<ref name=hockey>{{cite web|url=http://www.hockey.org.au/News/ArtMID/851/ArticleID/197/Hockeyroos-Crowned-Australian-Women%E2%80%99s-%E2%80%98Team-of-the-Century%E2%80%99|title=Hockeyroos Crowned Australian Women's 'Team of the Century'|work=Hockey Australia News|date=26 February 2013|access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref> |
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In 2002, [[Alisa Camplin]] competing at the [[2002 Winter Olympics|2012 Winter Olympics Salt Lake City]] became Australia's first female Winter Olympics gold medalist.<ref name=camplin>{{cite web|title=Alisa Camplin|url=http://corporate.olympics.com.au/athlete/alisa-camplin|work=Australian Olympic Committee website| |
In 2002, [[Alisa Camplin]] competing at the [[2002 Winter Olympics|2012 Winter Olympics Salt Lake City]] became Australia's first female Winter Olympics gold medalist.<ref name=camplin>{{cite web|title=Alisa Camplin|url=http://corporate.olympics.com.au/athlete/alisa-camplin|work=Australian Olympic Committee website|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> |
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=== Paralympics === |
=== Paralympics === |
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In 1960, [[Daphne Hilton]] was the only Australian female on the [[Australia at the 1960 Summer Paralympics|Australian Team]] at the |
In 1960, [[Daphne Hilton]] was the only Australian female on the [[Australia at the 1960 Summer Paralympics|Australian Team]] at the |
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[[1960 Summer Paralympics|1960 Paralympic Games]], the first Summer Games.<ref name=hilton>{{cite web|url=http://www.paralympic.org.au/news/first-australian-paralympic-medals-go-display|title=First Australian Paralympic medals go on display|work=Australian Paralympic Committee News|date=25 March 2013| |
[[1960 Summer Paralympics|1960 Paralympic Games]], the first Summer Games.<ref name=hilton>{{cite web|url=http://www.paralympic.org.au/news/first-australian-paralympic-medals-go-display|title=First Australian Paralympic medals go on display|work=Australian Paralympic Committee News|date=25 March 2013|access-date=31 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220052255/http://www.paralympic.org.au/news/first-australian-paralympic-medals-go-display|archive-date=February 20, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> <br/> |
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In 2006, [[Emily Jansen]], a below-knee amputee alpine skier, became Australia's first female Winter Paralympian.<ref>{{cite web|title=Emily Jansen – Australia's first winter woman|url=http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/news_and_events/media_releases/media_releases/20060309.asp?bhcp=1|work=Melbourne Water Media Release 9 March 2006| |
In 2006, [[Emily Jansen]], a below-knee amputee alpine skier, became Australia's first female Winter Paralympian.<ref>{{cite web|title=Emily Jansen – Australia's first winter woman|url=http://www.melbournewater.com.au/content/news_and_events/media_releases/media_releases/20060309.asp?bhcp=1|work=Melbourne Water Media Release 9 March 2006|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> |
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==Government== |
==Government== |
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[[File:Cathy Freeman 2000 olympics.jpg|thumb|[[Cathy Freeman]] preparing to race in the Olympic 400 m final, Sydney 2000.]] |
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In 1984, the Commonwealth [[Sex Discrimination Act 1984]] was passed. This Act made it unlawful to discriminate against a person for their sex, marital status or if they were pregnant. All sporting clubs were forced to give the option to women if they wanted to become members in any sport they played or participated in.<ref name=ascweb/> |
In 1984, the Commonwealth [[Sex Discrimination Act 1984]] was passed. This Act made it unlawful to discriminate against a person for their sex, marital status or if they were pregnant. All sporting clubs were forced to give the option to women if they wanted to become members in any sport they played or participated in.<ref name=ascweb/> |
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Australian government's have encouraged women's participation in sport. In 1985, [[Australian Government]]'s working group on women in sport published a report titled ''Women, Sport and the Media'' which recommended the creation of the Women's Sport unit within the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).<ref name=ascweb/> This Unit was established in 1988.<ref name=ascweb/> In 1992, an ''Active Girls'' campaign was launched by the ASC in an attempt to reduce the drop out of teenage girls from sport.<ref name=sporting-nation-122>{{cite book|page=122|title=A sporting nation, Celebrating Australia's sporting life|editor-last=Cliff|editor-first=Paul|isbn=0-642-10704-1|year=1999|location=Canberra, Australia|publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In 2002, the ASC with $180,000 of funding from the [[Office of the Status of Women]] established a grants program to improve the leadership skills of women who deliver sport in rural and remote communities.<ref name=ascannual>{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2002-—2003|url=http://fulltext.ausport.gov.au/fulltext/2003/ascpub/annualreport/download.asp|work=Australian Sports Commission| |
Australian government's have encouraged women's participation in sport. In 1985, [[Australian Government]]'s working group on women in sport published a report titled ''Women, Sport and the Media'' which recommended the creation of the Women's Sport unit within the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).<ref name=ascweb/> This Unit was established in 1988.<ref name=ascweb/> In 1992, an ''Active Girls'' campaign was launched by the ASC in an attempt to reduce the drop out of teenage girls from sport.<ref name=sporting-nation-122>{{cite book|page=122|title=A sporting nation, Celebrating Australia's sporting life|editor-last=Cliff|editor-first=Paul|isbn=0-642-10704-1|year=1999|location=Canberra, Australia|publisher=National Library of Australia}}</ref> In 2002, the ASC with $180,000 of funding from the [[Office of the Status of Women]] established a grants program to improve the leadership skills of women who deliver sport in rural and remote communities.<ref name=ascannual>{{cite web|title=Annual Report 2002-—2003|url=http://fulltext.ausport.gov.au/fulltext/2003/ascpub/annualreport/download.asp|work=Australian Sports Commission|access-date=30 July 2013}}</ref> In the financial year 2013–2014, ''Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women Program'' provided $400,000 for individuals and organisations to undertake training to improve their leadership potential in the areas of: coaching, officiating, governance, management and administration and communications, media and marketing.<ref name=ascgrants>{{cite web|url= http://www.ausport.gov.au/participating/women/get_involved/grants_and_scholarships |
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|title=Participating in Sport – Women – Grants and Scholarships|work=Australian Sports Commission website|year=2013| |
|title=Participating in Sport – Women – Grants and Scholarships|work=Australian Sports Commission website|year=2013|access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref> |
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In 2006, the [[Parliament of Australia|Australian Parliament's]] Senate Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts Committee published the report '' About time! : women in sport and recreation in Australia''.<ref name=senatereport>{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=ecita_ctte/completed_inquiries/2004-07/womeninsport/report/report.pdf|title=About time!Women in sport and recreation in Australia|work=Parliament of Australia website|date=September 2006| |
In 2006, the [[Parliament of Australia|Australian Parliament's]] Senate Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts Committee published the report '' About time! : women in sport and recreation in Australia''.<ref name=senatereport>{{cite web|url=http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate_Committees?url=ecita_ctte/completed_inquiries/2004-07/womeninsport/report/report.pdf|title=About time!Women in sport and recreation in Australia|work=Parliament of Australia website|date=September 2006|access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref> This extensive review made recommendations related to grass roots and elite athlete participation, leadership and governance and the mass media. The Committee recognised the benefits to women and girls of participating in sport and recreation but noted the high drop out rates in female participation. It also found that the some areas of the Australian media neglected reporting women's sporting achievements. The [[Australian Government]] responded to the report in 2012.<ref name=ausresponse>{{cite web|url=http://www.regional.gov.au/sport/resources/reports/files/response-to-women-in-sport-inquiry-20121031.pdf|title= Australian Government response to the Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee report: About Time! Women in Sport and Recreation in Australia |work=Dept. of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport website|date=October 2012|access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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{{Portal| |
{{Portal|Sports}} |
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*[[List of Australian sportswomen]] – notable current and former athletes |
*[[List of Australian sportswomen]] – notable current and former athletes |
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* [http://www.australianwomensport.com.au/ Australian Womensport and Recreation Association] |
* [http://www.australianwomensport.com.au/ Australian Womensport and Recreation Association] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist|30em}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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[[Category:Women's sport in Australia| ]] |
[[Category:Women's sport in Australia| ]] |
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[[Category:Australian sportswomen| ]] |
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[[Category:Women's sports by country|Australia]] |
Latest revision as of 23:07, 4 August 2024
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Fanny_Durack_03_State_Library_of_New_South_Wales_a468005u.jpg/175px-Fanny_Durack_03_State_Library_of_New_South_Wales_a468005u.jpg)
Women's sport in Australia started in the colonial era. Sport made its way into the school curriculum for girls by the 1890s. World War II had little impact on women's sport in the country. After the war, women's sport diversified as a result of new immigrants to the country. In the 1990s, the percentage of media coverage for women's sport on radio, television and in newspapers was not at parity with male sport. Basketball is nominally professional in Australia but players do not earn enough from the sport to compete full-time. Some Australians have gone overseas to play professional sport. Many television spectators for Australian sport are women. In person, netball has large percentage of female spectators. The Australian Federal and State governments have encouraged women to participate in all areas of sport.
History
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9b/Winnaressen_dames_200m_Puck_Brouwer%2C_Bestanddeelnr_905-2385_%28cropped_%26_rotated%29.jpg/220px-Winnaressen_dames_200m_Puck_Brouwer%2C_Bestanddeelnr_905-2385_%28cropped_%26_rotated%29.jpg)
In the colonial era, popular women's sports that were encouraged were often ones that did not challenge traditional gender definitions and allowed for men and women to compete fairly against one another.[2][3] By the 1880s, a number of sports had been integrated into physical education courses for girls at schools in Victoria. The sports chosen and the methods of teaching them to girls borrowed from a British sporting and educational tradition.[4] At the same time, a number of women's sporting contest were taking place in Australia including the first bicycling race in the world for women held in Ashfield, New South Wales,[5] and the first Australian championship in golf, open to both genders, was the Australian Ladies' Championship played at Geelong in Victoria in 1894.[5]
There were changes in the social acceptability of women's sport in Australia taking place by the 1900s and some sports like fencing began to become more open to female participation.[6]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Betty_Cuthbert%2C_Marlene_Mathews%2C_Heather_Armitage%2C_1956_Olympics.jpg/220px-Betty_Cuthbert%2C_Marlene_Mathews%2C_Heather_Armitage%2C_1956_Olympics.jpg)
During the 1900s, there also began the creation of women's only sport clubs, including the Victorian Ladies' Bowling Association, which was established in 1907 as the first women's bowls association in the country.[7] Women's only sport organisations continued to be formed for the next thirty years. The bowls association was followed up by the creation of the Australian Women's Hockey Association in 1910.[7] A decade later, the Australian Women's Rowing Council on 13 May 1920 at the Telegraph Chambers Brisbane, Queensland.[7] In 1931, the Australian Women's Cricket Council (AWCC) was formed in March 1931.[7] In 1932, the Australian Women's Amateur Union was formed to manage women's track and field.[7]
Coming out of the second World War, women's sport in the country was in a better place than sport in other countries. Many of the sport organisations for women remained intact during the war period and held competitions. Women did not have to deal with issues like food rationing, petrol rationing, population disbursement, and other issues facing women in post-war Europe. Sport had continued on largely undisturbed.[8] At the end of World War II, Australia saw an increase in immigrants coming to the country, with many coming from places that had not previously sent immigrants to the country before. The influx of newcomers helped to introduce and led to participation in sports that had previously not enjoyed much popularity in Australia.[9][10]
By the 1970s, amalgamation between male and female only sport clubs began to take place. In 1977, Australian Athletic Union was formed. This was a merger of the men's and women's athletics associations.[11] This would continue into the 2000s, with Golf Australia forming in 2006 after the Australian Golf Union (AGU) and Women's Golf Australia (WGA) agreed to merge.[12]
In 2005, The Australian Womensport & Recreation Association Inc (AWRA) was incorporated in July.[13]
Timeline
[edit]![]() |
- 1934 – First cricket test match played at Brisbane Cricket Ground between Australia and England.[7]
- 1985 – Dawn Fraser as the first female inductee in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.[14]
- 2010 – 5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport was held in Sydney between 20–23 May.[15]
Participation
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/08/StateLibQld_1_186315_Toowoomba_netball_team%2C_1932.jpg/250px-StateLibQld_1_186315_Toowoomba_netball_team%2C_1932.jpg)
Australian Bureau of Statistics 2011–12 survey found that nearly 64% (around 5.8 million) of females aged 15 years and over reported that they had participated in sport and physical recreation at least once during the 12 months prior to interview.[16] The top ten sport and recreation activities were: Walking for exercise (2,784,700), fitness/gymnasium (1,745,700), swimming/diving (729,200), jogging/running (585,400), cycling/bmx (490,600), netball (410,500), tennis (314,200), yoga (298, 900), dancing/ballet (229, 100) and bushwalking (216,800).[16] These statistics do not cover children. The survey found that an estimated 734,700 females were involved in either a non-playing capacity only or in both a playing and non-playing capacity: 273,000 in coaching, 264,300 in scoring or timekeeping, 256,500 in administration, 115,100 in umpiring or refereeing and 60,000 in medical support.[16]
Spectatorship
[edit]![]() | This section needs to be updated.(March 2019) |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/36/Dawn_Fraser_and_Ilsa_Konrads_at_the_Australian_National_Swimming_Championships_and_Olympic_Trials%2C_North_Sydney_Olympic_Pool%2C_27_February_1960.jpeg/220px-Dawn_Fraser_and_Ilsa_Konrads_at_the_Australian_National_Swimming_Championships_and_Olympic_Trials%2C_North_Sydney_Olympic_Pool%2C_27_February_1960.jpeg)
Australian Bureau of Statistics survey Spectator Attendance at Sporting Events, 2009–10 reported the following findings regarding female attendance at sporting events. Survey found that an estimated 3.3 million females attended one or more sporting events as spectators. This represented 37% of females aged 15 years and over in Australia and 54% of females aged 15–17 years. The top ten sports in attendance were: Australian rules football (1,171,100), horse racing (925,000), rugby league (594,700), motor sports (456,800), soccer (354,800), rugby union (209,300), cricket (190,500), harness racing (190,200), tennis (171,300) and netball (123,000).[16]
For women's only sporting events, netball has the highest attendance. In 2013, netball's ANZ Championship had an 18 per cent increase on both 2011 and 2010 seasons with over 134,000 attending the first nine rounds of the season.[17]
In April 2024, the 2023–24 A-League Women season set the record for the most attended season of any women's sport in Australian history, with the season recording a total attendance of 284,551 on 15 April 2024,[18][19][20][21] and finishing with a final total attendance of 312,199.[22]
Media coverage
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Shane_Gould_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-Shane_Gould_%28cropped%29.jpg)
The lack of media coverage of women's sport in Australia has presented challenges to female participants in several areas, including providing few role models and making it hard to acquire money from sponsors.[23] In 1996, across the mediums of newspaper, radio and television, the worst coverage as a percentage of total sport coverage for women was on radio with only 1.4% of the coverage being for women's sport. Newspaper coverage was the best at 10.7%, with television coming in second with 2% of all sport coverage being exclusively for women's sport.[23] The newspaper coverage was significantly better than four years earlier, where the total coverage of women's sport was 4.5%.[23] Newspaper coverage had issues: Most of the women's sport coverage came on days when there was little news regarding men's sport.[24]
A recent study showed that interest in women's sports would be bigger if the sports were streamed as free-to-air broadcasting. Meaning, the women sports would be free to watch without any subscriptions needed. Social media is a great example of this. As far as social media rankings in watching women's sports, Facebook is first (87%), YouTube is second (56%), and Instagram is third (43%).[25]
The Rebel Women's Big Bash (WBBL) and the Women's Australian Rules Football league (AFLW) are two good examples of platforms that have attracted a following. Women's Australian cricket currently has a 43% interest percentage.[25]
In 2010 a report by University of New South Wales Journalism and Media Research Centre and Media Monitors found that coverage of women in sport made up only 9% of all sports coverage in Australian television news. But coverage on male sport occupied 81% of television news reporting. There was 10% of coverage being non-gender specific.[26]
Professional sport
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Lauren_Jackson_at_day_two_of_the_Opals_camp.jpg/220px-Lauren_Jackson_at_day_two_of_the_Opals_camp.jpg)
Now, there are significantly fewer women than men earning an income from sport in Australia. Traditionally professional female golfers, tennis players and surfers have been able to earn an income from international circuits. There are a limited number of high-profile female Olympic athletes that have been able to supplement government grants and competition earnings with sponsorships. The lack of sponsorship for female athletes was highlighted when Sally Pearson, 100 metres hurdles gold medalist from the 2012 London Olympics, had lost sponsors after the Games.[27]
In recent years,[when?] athletes from team sports such as basketball and to a lesser extent football and netball have been able to derive some income from sport. In 2009, the salaries for average players in the Women's National Basketball League were not high enough to allow them to play basketball full-time: They made between $5,000 and $10,000 a year.[28] Australian athletes have gone overseas to play professional sport. Amongst these are Lauren Jackson, Erin Phillips, Kristi Harrower, Belinda Snell and Penny Taylor, who played basketball in the United States.[29]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Ellyse_Perry-Canberra_United.jpg/175px-Ellyse_Perry-Canberra_United.jpg)
In recent years, netball players have been able to earn an income particularly since the establishment of the ANZ Championship. However, in 2013 Australian Diamonds players argued for their current average salary of $10,000 a year to be boosted to $20,000.[30] During the dispute, the CEO of Netball Australia, Kate Palmer, stated that seven of the current Diamonds earned more than $100,000 from netball and related activities, with four earning more than $150,000.[30] After the 2016 netball season, Netball Australia pulled out of the ANZ Championship[31] in favour of setting up its own national league, which launched the next season as Suncorp Super Netball. In the first season of the new league, the minimum player wage was set at over $27,000, more than double the minimum in the final season of the ANZ Championship.[32] The minimum player wage rose to $30,000 for the 2019 season.[33]
There have been issues involving the national soccer team, the Matildas and their pay. On a national level, the pay disparity between men and women has caused issues. The Matildas earn just $500 an international game, while the male national team, the Socceroos earn more than $6500 per game.[34] The men's team made more money in one game at the World Cup than the women would have if they made it to the final. Comparing the two teams success, the Matildas are currently ranked 5th in the world, while the men sit at 50.[35] This tension eventually boiled over, as the Matildas boycotted an international tour of the US in 2015 in protest against the lack of financial reward they were receiving. This tour was very significant, as it was only a few months after the success at the World Cup. They were also coming up against the current world champions, so it was a big chance to demonstrate the continued rise of women's soccer in Australia. However, following unsuccessful negotiations with the FFA they decided to protest and boycott the tour. The dispute centred on a number of objectives some of which are interrelated, and can be broken down as follows:[36]
(i) provision of basic minimum standards setting out the time commitment and requirements necessary for high performance standards in international football;
(ii) Pay equality and equality of opportunity;
(iii) Establishing a career pathway for elite women footballers and making football the sport of choice for young women.
The PFA want an immediate correction to Matildas salaries so they are at least on par with the Australian minimum wage of about $33,000 a year and for them to be able to take up opportunities overseas when not playing and training for the national squad.
Amateur sport
[edit]Olympics
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4b/Sally_Pearson_Daegu_2011.jpg/220px-Sally_Pearson_Daegu_2011.jpg)
In 1912, Fanny Durack and Mina Wylie became the first female athletes to represent Australia at the Summer Olympics. At the 1912 Stockholm Olympics, Durack won the gold medal and Wylie the silver medal in the Women's 100m Freestyle.[5]
In 1952, Nancy Burley and Gweneth Moloney became Australia's first female Winter Olympians. They competed at figure skating at 1952 Winter Olympics in Oslo, Norway.[37]
In 1991, Helen Brownlee became the first woman elected to the Australian Olympic Committee's Executive Board.[37]
In 1988, at the Seoul Olympics, the Australian women's hockey team Hockeyroos, became the first Australian women's team sport to win an Olympic gold medal.[37] The Hockeyroos went on to win the gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Games.[38]
In 2002, Alisa Camplin competing at the 2012 Winter Olympics Salt Lake City became Australia's first female Winter Olympics gold medalist.[39]
Paralympics
[edit]In 1960, Daphne Hilton was the only Australian female on the Australian Team at the
1960 Paralympic Games, the first Summer Games.[40]
In 2006, Emily Jansen, a below-knee amputee alpine skier, became Australia's first female Winter Paralympian.[41]
Regierung
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/30/Cathy_Freeman_2000_olympics.jpg/220px-Cathy_Freeman_2000_olympics.jpg)
In 1984, the Commonwealth Sex Discrimination Act 1984 was passed. This Act made it unlawful to discriminate against a person for their sex, marital status or if they were pregnant. All sporting clubs were forced to give the option to women if they wanted to become members in any sport they played or participated in.[5]
Australian government's have encouraged women's participation in sport. In 1985, Australian Government's working group on women in sport published a report titled Women, Sport and the Media which recommended the creation of the Women's Sport unit within the Australian Sports Commission (ASC).[5] This Unit was established in 1988.[5] In 1992, an Active Girls campaign was launched by the ASC in an attempt to reduce the drop out of teenage girls from sport.[42] In 2002, the ASC with $180,000 of funding from the Office of the Status of Women established a grants program to improve the leadership skills of women who deliver sport in rural and remote communities.[43] In the financial year 2013–2014, Sport Leadership Grants and Scholarships for Women Program provided $400,000 for individuals and organisations to undertake training to improve their leadership potential in the areas of: coaching, officiating, governance, management and administration and communications, media and marketing.[44]
In 2006, the Australian Parliament's Senate Environment, Recreation, Communications and the Arts Committee published the report About time! : women in sport and recreation in Australia.[45] This extensive review made recommendations related to grass roots and elite athlete participation, leadership and governance and the mass media. The Committee recognised the benefits to women and girls of participating in sport and recreation but noted the high drop out rates in female participation. It also found that the some areas of the Australian media neglected reporting women's sporting achievements. The Australian Government responded to the report in 2012.[46]
See also
[edit]- List of Australian sportswomen – notable current and former athletes
- Australian Womensport and Recreation Association
- Australian Women's Health Sport Awards
References
[edit]- ^ a468005u
- ^ Howell, Max; Howell, Reet; Brown, David W. (1989). The Sporting Image: A Pictorial History of Queenslanders at Play. Brisbane: University of Queensland Press. p. 89. ISBN 0-7022-2206-2.
- ^ Stell, Marion K. (1991). Half the Race, A history of Australian women in sport. North Ryde, Australia: HarperCollins. p. 242. ISBN 0-207-16971-3.
- ^ Stell, Marion K. (1991). Half the Race, A history of Australian women in sport. North Ryde, Australia: HarperCollins. p. 31. ISBN 0-207-16971-3.
- ^ a b c d e f "A history of women and sport in Australia". Australian Sports Commission website. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ Howell, Max; Howell, Reet; Brown, David W. (1989). The Sporting Image: A Pictorial History of Queenslanders at Play. Brisbane: University of Queensland Press. p. 85. ISBN 0-7022-2206-2.
- ^ a b c d e f Pollard, Jack (1968). Ampol's sporting record. North Sydney: Jack Pollard. ISBN 0909950229.
- ^ Stell, Marion K. (1991). Half the Race, A history of Australian women in sport. North Ryde, Australia: HarperCollins. p. 100. ISBN 0-207-16971-3.
- ^ Cliff, Paul, ed. (1999). A sporting nation, Celebrating Australia's sporting life. Canberra, Australia: National Library of Australia. p. 24. ISBN 0-642-10704-1.
- ^ Booth, Douglas; Tatz, Colin (2000). One-eyed, a view of Australian sport. St Leonards, New South Wales: Allen & Ulwin. pp. 140–142. ISBN 1-86508-055-1.
- ^ "History of Organisation". Athletics Australia website. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ "History of Women's Golf Australia" (PDF). Golf Australia website. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ "History". Australian Womensport & Recreation Association website. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ "About Us". Sport Australia Hall of Fame website. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
- ^ "5th IWG World Conference on Women and Sport". Australian Womensport and Recreation Association Inc wEBSITE. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Women in Sport : the State of Play 2013". Australian Bureau of Statistics – Perspectives on Sport, June 2013. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ "Crowd numbers on the rise for the ANZ Championship". Netball Australia News. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ Tu, Jessie (15 April 2024). "Women's A-League games most attended season of women's sport in Australian history". Women's Agenda. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "History made! 🥳⚽️🇦🇺 The most successful season in Liberty A-League history has set a new benchmark for women's sport in Australia". Facebook. A-Leagues. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Women's A-League down to four contenders after first stage of finals series". Friends of Football. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "INVEST IN WOMEN'S SPORT. The Tillies effect 😤 In a record-breaking week one of the Finals Series, the A-League became the most attended season, of any women's sport, in Australia ever. Surpassing the AFLW 2023 cumulative attendance total for the regular season + finals series". Instagram. The Female Athlete Project. Retrieved 15 April 2024.
- ^ "Thank you for making season 2023/24 of the Liberty A-League the biggest in the 𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 🇦🇺❤️ A 127% increase on last year. Just incredible". Facebook. A-Leagues. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ^ a b c NSW Sport and Recreation (1998). "Media Coverage of Women in Sport" (PDF). Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: NSW Sport and Recreation. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ NSW Sport and Recreation (1998). "Media Coverage of Women in Sport" (PDF). Sydney, New South Wales, Australia: NSW Sport and Recreation. p. 2. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Girl Power: Measuring the Rise of Women's Sport in Australia". www.nielsen.com. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- ^ "Towards a Level Playing Field:sport and gender in Australian media January 2008 – July 2009" (PDF). Australian Sports Commission. 2010. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ Emma Greenwood (26 February 2013). "Sally Pearson losing sponsors despite gold medal winning efforts". Gold Coast Bulletin. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ Basketball Australia (2009). "Making Your Career in Basketball, A guide to the Australian Basketball Pathway (with up to date information on scholarships to both Australian and US Universities)" (PDF). Australia. p. 9. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ Basketball Australia (2009). "Making Your Career in Basketball, A guide to the Australian Basketball Pathway (with up to date information on scholarships to both Australian and US Universities)" (PDF). Australia. p. 1. Retrieved 12 January 2012.
- ^ a b "Diamonds 'up for a fight' in pay dispute". The Age. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ Mitchell, Brittany (25 August 2016). "Why Netball Australia had to separate from New Zealand to secure dominant future". ESPN.com. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ Lulham, Amanda (24 September 2016). "Netball payday: How it will work for players and clubs". The Daily Telegraph. Sydney. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ "Suncorp Super Netball Player Payment Rise In 2019" (Press release). Suncorp Super Netball. 20 June 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ "Westfiel W-League – Australia Women's League". 11 April 2015.
- ^ FIFA.com
- ^ "Matildas player strike: What are the key pay demands and disputes ahead?". TheGuardian.com. 11 September 2015.
- ^ a b c Gordon, Harry (1994). Australia at the Olympic Games. Brisbane: University of Queensland Press. ISBN 0702226270.
- ^ "Hockeyroos Crowned Australian Women's 'Team of the Century'". Hockey Australia News. 26 February 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Alisa Camplin". Australian Olympic Committee website. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ "First Australian Paralympic medals go on display". Australian Paralympic Committee News. 25 March 2013. Archived from the original on 20 February 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Emily Jansen – Australia's first winter woman". Melbourne Water Media Release 9 March 2006. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ Cliff, Paul, ed. (1999). A sporting nation, Celebrating Australia's sporting life. Canberra, Australia: National Library of Australia. p. 122. ISBN 0-642-10704-1.
- ^ "Annual Report 2002-—2003". Australian Sports Commission. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ "Participating in Sport – Women – Grants and Scholarships". Australian Sports Commission website. 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "About time!Women in sport and recreation in Australia" (PDF). Parliament of Australia website. September 2006. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
- ^ "Australian Government response to the Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts References Committee report: About Time! Women in Sport and Recreation in Australia" (PDF). Dept. of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport website. October 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.