HEADLINE: Building a Positive Environment for Female Athletes
Currently, we face a gender gap in sports participation. A significant number of young females do not embrace sport and physical activity as teens, and the importance of rectifying this situation is the work to achieve gender equality. Gender equity has been an issue in society since the beginning of times. The participation of women in sports still faces the typical stereotyping because of social norms. Those social norms define women as weak and less capable.
Sports have been seen as a masculine essence and women devoted to sports are perceived to be “intruders” into the male world. There is a lack of women in sports positions due to the fact that sports is a gendered institution. Which explains why there are more male participants in athletics. Therefore, more women are less likely to participate in sports towards the end of high school. Society needs to stop under representing women in athletics. Women athletes should be perceived as beautiful, and graceful not only by their looks but by the way they were taught to play.
Although there has been little improvement throughout history, many organizations have made it possible for women and girls to be involved in more competitive sports. As an example, The London 2012 Olympic Games featured, for the first time in history, an equal number of sports for women as for men and Sports fans, too, are seemingly becoming more interested in the push for gender equality by watching more women’s sports.
At the KYSA the importance of young girls participating in sports is of huge matter to them. To help address this gender gap issue Sport for Life is leading a BC Initiative which focuses on training community coaches and mentors on the specific needs and interests of girls ages 8 to 12 in order to better engage them in sport and physical activity. The workshop will take place at the Valleyview Community Hall (2288 Park Drive, Kamloops – next to Marion Schilling Elementary School) on Friday, November 27th (6:30pm to 9:00pm) & Saturday, November 28th (9:00am to 11:30am).
The Kamloops Youth Soccer Association is proud to be hosting Dr. Vicky Harber for two workshops delivered over two days to leaders who are, or plan to be, working with/coaching girls in and around this age range.
Educating girls should always be considered an investment, it is time to create optimal conditions and systems that support women to be active at all live stages, and thanks to places like the KYSA this issue will shade a light into our communities.
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