By Maria Jarmain – RMIT Journalism student
Team sports are a fun way to stay fit, improve mental health and wellbeing, and be part of a community. Yet women face a multitude of issues when it comes to participation.
According to the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. participation in sports starts to decline as women get older, with 1 in 3 women 25 and older believing that sporting clubs aren’t welcoming towards their age bracket.
Competitive sports are also often seen as the domain of children, who are encouraged to take up a sport from a young age.
So why are women and girls more inclined to drop out of sports?
A recent study by Victoria University interviewed women and girls who participated in gymnastics or were registered to play soccer/football in the years 2019-2021. It found that 27% of adolescent girls ages 13-17 dropped out of sport due to their age, feeling that they’re too old. Reasons for women dropping out include cost, not having the time, not enjoying it anymore and having other lifestyle priorities.
But local adult sporting leagues for women are helping to change the narrative in the west.
Kate Atkins, aged 52 got into playing soccer for the Footscray Rangers Football Club at age 50, after not having played a sport since she was 25.
“I’ve always loved team sports when I was much younger and it brings a sense of community, getting to meet people and be active. And I’m like well, why can’t I do that in my 50s as well?” Said Atkins.
Kate recalls feeling uncomfortable at other clubs in the area that mainly prioritise teams for younger adults, but found a welcoming and open environment with the Footscray Rangers.
“They’re quite a diverse team whether it be age, nationality, beliefs or sexuality or whatever it might say so they’re quite a very open club” she says.
It’s no secret that participating in sports has numerous physical wellbeing benefits, but also helps foster community and social interaction.
“We do dinners and social activities as well so it’s been great from an exercise health point of view and mental health point of view too. And I love being part of a team, whether it’s work or social or sport, it’s great to be part of a team.”
“I think soccer just needs people to have a go and join, just a bit of that courage to join,” says Kate.
Anna Walker, a Sport Participation & Inclusion Consultant says that 88% of federal funding is allocated to elite sport.
“This funding structure reinforces the idea that success equates to producing athletes, not creating spaces where anyone can stay and thrive. As a result, most systems, programs and resources are designed for children and young people who show potential to climb the performance pathway.”
“I believe adults want to participate in high-quality sporting programs and competitions, but I also believe sport is not doing an adequate job of delivering the right opportunities or letting adults know they’re wanted,” she said.
So perhaps local clubs are the key for women and girls to be given a sporting chance.
