July 2017

[Sweder]

But is that really the case? Isn't it false economy to pour money into women's sport if you can't get a return on that investment??

No. 

Check out When Football Banned Women, the recent documentary presented on Channel 4, which explains how jealous, bitter men in suits sat in smoke-filled rooms to conspire to consign women to the kitchen. 

In 1920's Britain, women played to crowds in excess of 50,000. What the FA did was shameful. Women were obliged to take their sport to the parks whilst men feathered their nests until they were strong enough to hold the bloated, over rated cuckoo that is today's EPL. 

What we're doing at Lewes won't address 50 years of raw injustice but it takes a small step in the right direction. It breaks the cycle of lack of funding = lack of media coverage = failure to attract investment = fewer top coaches = failure to develop players = low attendances ... and we're back to lack of funding. A vicious circle that keeps women where some men seem happy for them to remain; trapped in steerage. 

I was lucky enough to attend the ICC Women's World Cup Final at Lords, between England and India, ten days ago. A match described by Michael Atherton as one of the finest ODI's to have graced the home of cricket, and by Nasser Hussain as one of the best he's seen, regardless of gender. 26,000+ roaring their teams home in one of the finest arenas in world cricket; a 9-run win in the most dramatic climax. 

The women's Euro quarter final last Sunday, between England and France, drew a live TV audience of 3.3 million. In spite of Man's best efforts the women's game continues to rise. The standards improve year on year, so far without the histrionics that often stain the top of the men's game. The women's level of commitment and passion are matched only by their will to win. 

Where commitment and dedication are concerned, women often have to give more than men, simply to overcome decades of blind prejudice. Most top-level sport is over-hyped in my view. I find women's football a good deal more rewarding to watch.