The FA Has Encountered Criticism Over It's 'Considerations' To Get More Women And Girls Into Football.
Five former FA chiefs have joined forces to make damaging claims about the governing body, branding the board as "elderly white men". David Bernstein, David Davies, Alex Horne, David Triesman, and Greg Dyke say the FA has failed to "self-reform". Amid the current sexual abuse scandal putting increasing pressure on the organisation, The FA has been dealt another blow with these five men attacking their apparent lack of independence. Now, they're getting a backlash over 'suggestions' on how to attract more women and girls into the sport. So called "considerations" include, "nice smelling bibs", and "Use female friendly branding and colouring on marketing materials." Slogan suggestions include "Who needs Facebook friends", "You won't even notice you're getting fit", and "Here come the girls". They also suggest using hashtags on social media. Such hashtag suggestions are #iheartfootball and #footyselfie. Many people have already contacted The FA over the FA article in anger, with one girl from a County Durham primary school writing "We aren't brainless Barbie dolls. We don't all like the same colour - pink." Another pupil wrote "We don't need pink whistles and we don't have big mouths, why do we need a big mouth water bottle?" The article was negatively received by both boys and girls alike.
A spokesman for The FA said "The document was created following research into women and girls playing football, with feedback from both participants and non-participants."
Durham WFC goalkeeper Helen Alderson said "If you look through the whole document some if it is alright - they've tried to put themselves in the shoes of girls and women. I'm little bit disappointed in The FA - they've been naive rather than sexist. If they reviewed the document fully they might pull it."
My belief is that The FA have created this with good intentions but, the document itself proves some of what Mr Dyke and Co. have been saying. I agree with Helen Alderson that this is more naivety than it is sexism. I do believe some of the suggestions do border on sexism, based on research that proves gender stereotyping is sexism. I don't often see school children in coffee shops when I'm in enjoying a white chocolate mocha or a salted caramel latte and a slice of carrot cake. Personally, I don't know where teenage girls hang out these days. I admit I'm a little out of touch with what teenage girls like to do but, I always have been. Suggestions such as "Advertise in places girls go i.e. coffee shops or on the back of toilet doors" are based on a degree of gender stereotyping - ergo, sexist. Claims of sexism in sport is nothing new, and that's part of the problem. Laura Bates's article in The Guardian is spot on - the best way to get women and girls interested in football is through increased funding and media coverage. Providing better facilities and coaching, and showing a clear path of progression is one of the most effective methods for increasing participation. One of the major issues for the women's game is retaining players. This can be helped with more funding to support those women and girls wanting to play, and making football a viable career path for girls with talent. Too many women have dropped out of the game altogether because supporting themselves is more important than participating in a hobby. That is true for everyone. If a girl is good enough, the opportunities should be there to support them in making the right choice, as they are for boys. One of my personal ambitions is to bring women who have previously moved away from football back. To attract grown women who may never have played before to join in. There is clear talent in women's football today and that is evident when you watch the Lionesses, WSL, and WPL but, I believe that there is so much more hidden talent among our female population, and that should be encouraged. There are millions of women in this country who are football fans but, women's football remains alien to many of them.
Sources: FA reform: Former chiefs say 'elderly white men' block change http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38274152
How can we beat sexism in football? Pink whistles at the ready! https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/12/how-beat-sexism-football-pink-whistles
Girls give FA red card over advice to get them into football http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-38275894
Considerations for increasing participation in women and girls football (aged 12+) http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/pdf/womens/attracting-new-girls-and-women-into-football2.ashx?la=en
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Durham WFC goalkeeper Helen Alderson said "If you look through the whole document some if it is alright - they've tried to put themselves in the shoes of girls and women. I'm little bit disappointed in The FA - they've been naive rather than sexist. If they reviewed the document fully they might pull it."
My belief is that The FA have created this with good intentions but, the document itself proves some of what Mr Dyke and Co. have been saying. I agree with Helen Alderson that this is more naivety than it is sexism. I do believe some of the suggestions do border on sexism, based on research that proves gender stereotyping is sexism. I don't often see school children in coffee shops when I'm in enjoying a white chocolate mocha or a salted caramel latte and a slice of carrot cake. Personally, I don't know where teenage girls hang out these days. I admit I'm a little out of touch with what teenage girls like to do but, I always have been. Suggestions such as "Advertise in places girls go i.e. coffee shops or on the back of toilet doors" are based on a degree of gender stereotyping - ergo, sexist. Claims of sexism in sport is nothing new, and that's part of the problem. Laura Bates's article in The Guardian is spot on - the best way to get women and girls interested in football is through increased funding and media coverage. Providing better facilities and coaching, and showing a clear path of progression is one of the most effective methods for increasing participation. One of the major issues for the women's game is retaining players. This can be helped with more funding to support those women and girls wanting to play, and making football a viable career path for girls with talent. Too many women have dropped out of the game altogether because supporting themselves is more important than participating in a hobby. That is true for everyone. If a girl is good enough, the opportunities should be there to support them in making the right choice, as they are for boys. One of my personal ambitions is to bring women who have previously moved away from football back. To attract grown women who may never have played before to join in. There is clear talent in women's football today and that is evident when you watch the Lionesses, WSL, and WPL but, I believe that there is so much more hidden talent among our female population, and that should be encouraged. There are millions of women in this country who are football fans but, women's football remains alien to many of them.
Sources: FA reform: Former chiefs say 'elderly white men' block change http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38274152
How can we beat sexism in football? Pink whistles at the ready! https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/dec/12/how-beat-sexism-football-pink-whistles
Girls give FA red card over advice to get them into football http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-38275894
Considerations for increasing participation in women and girls football (aged 12+) http://www.thefa.com/~/media/files/pdf/womens/attracting-new-girls-and-women-into-football2.ashx?la=en
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