Players score a new kit.

1. Show a gender aware piece of sports writing – an news area that predominantly features men.

2. Show how women are actively involved in sport and have the same capabilities as men.

3. Showcase the gender dynamics in society where sport, especially soccer, is no longer a ‘boys only’ activity.

4. Encourage women to participate in sport. 

 

This article, which is about a sports equipment donation, dispels the notion that women are not interested in sport and puts a woman at the forefront. Firstly she is given the opportunity to speak on behalf of Sporting Chance, one of South Africa’s leading sports coaching and outreach companies. Although the donation is a joint initiative with soccer player Michael Sias, Natalie le Brun is given more space to speak.

Media usually denies women a voice when it comes to sports news and events. This article therefore deviates from the traditional stereotype of having only men pronounce on sporting events. This also presents a shift in the roles assigned to women and men by media. Traditionally women are confined to the domestic sphere. This article therefore presents a paradigm shift in the roles of women in particular.

Although the woman is not presented as a sportsperson, the fact that she speaks on sport is a positive development.

1. Ask participants how women and men are portrayed in the story.

2. Why do you think sports reporting is still dominated by stories about men and men’s leagues?

3. The stereotype is that men are more interested in involved in sport. How much truth does this hold?

4. What do you think of sourcing in the story?

 

1. Take a quick survey among the participants. Who follows sports? For those who don’t, why don’t they? If there were more stories about women in sport, would they be more inclined to take an interest? Use this to spark a discussion around the idea that men are more interested in sport than women, or are expected to be more interested. Why is this? Is it a social or biological phenomenon?