Contestation, disruption and legitimization in women’s rugby league

Taylor, Tracy; O’Connor, Donna; Hanlon, Clare

doi:10.1080/17430437.2019.1631803

Cited by 26 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Following popular discourses of progress and advancement in women's sport, leading to a 'crescendo' in 2019 in the UK (BBC, 2019), we were interested in understanding the current state of play for women involved in elite sport in 2020. We felt it was important that there was a space provided for sportswomen to comment on their experiences, as the voice of women athletes is largely absent from the literature on elite or professional sport (Taylor et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, the slower commercialisation of women's sport, connected to the stuttered history of women in sport and their relative invisibility within the sports media, has meant that women's experiences in elite sport are notably different from men's experiences. Pavlidis (2020) and Taylor et al (2020) have highlighted how the cultures of sport create women who are grateful for any advance, and thus they often do not challenge gender inequality. In most sports, women's experiences as paid athletes are characterised by short contracts, low wages, little or no maternity pay and inadequate terms and conditions (Clarkson et al, 2020).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A losing battle? Women’s sport pre- and post-COVID-19

Bowes

Lomax

Piasecki

2021

European Sport Management Quarterly

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Research question: In 2019, women's sport was reported as being on the rise. Increased participation rates, media coverage, investment and support were evident. Following the spread of COVID-19 across the globe, which halted most forms of competitive sport, there were repeated concerns about the future of women's sport. This research aims to document elite sportswomen's perceptions of the state of women's sport pre-COVID-19 and the possible impact moving forwards.Research methods: Ninety five responses from an online, anonymous, qualitative questionnaire completed by elite sportswomen mainly based, in the UK, on the impact of COVID-19 on women's sport were collected. Data were subject to a thematic analysis, to determine key concerns, and the frequency data of responses were quantitatively recorded. Results and findings: Most sportswomen felt that women's sport was on an upward trajectory, but many juxtaposed that against inequality compared to men's sport in terms of media coverage and finance. There were concerns that the subordinate position women's sport, with less resources and support, will have severe implications post-COVID-19. However, there were considerations that a pause in sport would allow for personal development, increased participation upon sports return and space for a reconfiguration of sport. Implications: Those involved in sport are encouraged to think more critically about progress narratives in women's sport. We caution that these hide perpetual, structural and symbolic inequalities and propose that they are positioned more coherently within wider gender equity agenda. This is a process that will require widespread cultural change.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A losing battle? Women’s sport pre- and post-COVID-19

Bowes

Lomax

Piasecki

2021

European Sport Management Quarterly

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“…There is a need to further understand and develop scientific-support in training female rugby league players (eg, content and progression), appropriate illness and injury management (eg, rehabilitation and prevention) and physiology (eg, hormonal factors). Recent interview-based work supports the importance of such knowledge and access to high-quality support staff in women’s rugby league 2…”

Section: An Evidence-base For Managing the Performance And Well-beingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although female sporting teams and leagues struggle with participation, financial investment and spectatorship (ie, sociological factors),2 both the NRLW and WSL have major naming right sponsors. The Australian NRLW and State of Origin matches and the WSL grand final are also broadcast live on television.…”

Section: The Rise Of Women’s Rugby Leaguementioning

confidence: 99%

Call to action: a collaborative framework to better support female rugby league players

Cummins

Melinz

et al. 2020

Br J Sports Med

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“…In 1978, the inaugural Women's Basketball League (WBL) was established, although it has operated in three forms with the current Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) the longest running, launching in 1997. The turn of the twenty-first century saw an expansion of professional women's sports leagues across the globe (Taylor et al, 2019), of which arguably the most significant development has been in professional women's football (soccer). Again, the USA led the way, and the first professional soccer league for women was launched in 2001.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on elite sportswomen

Bowes

Lomax

Piasecki

2020

Managing Sport and Leisure

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Research question: The COVID-19 pandemic decimated elite level sport across the globe, although there were concerns that this impact affected women's sport much more so than for men's sport. This research considers the impact of the enforced global lockdown on elite women athletes, examining the immediate effect on their training practices, welfare and financial situation. Methods: A qualitative, online survey was used to collect anonymous data from 95 elite sportswomen. Data were coded to enable frequency analysis, and then analysed thematically. Results: Many sportswomen noted the positive support received from coaching networks regarding adapted, individualised training programmes and their mental well-being. A reduction in time spent training, and changes to types of training, was reported. However, many felt they had less access to equipment as women, and that men's sport was a priority. Professional and semi-professional sportswomen, already operating in financially precarious circumstances, were also impacted through a reduction in match fees and/or sponsorship, or furlough. Implications: The findings provide empirical evidence of a gendered dimension to the experiences of elite athletes during lockdown. When elite sport re-builds post-COVID, there should be a greater awareness of the difficulties faced by sportswomen, and targeted action to tackle gender inequality in sport.

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Contestation, disruption and legitimization in women’s rugby league

Cited by 26 publications

References 55 publications

A losing battle? Women’s sport pre- and post-COVID-19

A losing battle? Women’s sport pre- and post-COVID-19

Call to action: a collaborative framework to better support female rugby league players

The impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on elite sportswomen

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