AFLW, WBBL, Women’s National Basketball players push for more money, respect and rights

FEMALE athletes have united in a push for more money, respect and rights on the sporting field and are urging Victorians to get behind women’s sport and gender equality.

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FEMALE athletes have united in a push for more money, respect and rights on the sporting field.

Players from the Women’s Big Bash League, new AFL Women’s competition and Women’s National Basketball league have urged Victorians to get behind women’s sport and gender equality.

It comes as new VicHealth research reveals almost three in five Victorians agreed females in elite sport should get the same pay as men.

More than half of 2088 Victorians surveyed said females should be in sports leadership positions typically dominated by men.

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Melbourne Boomers’ Maddie Garrick, Melbourne Football Club’s Daisy Pearce and Melbourne Stars captain Meg Lanning are urging Victorians to get behind women’s sport and gender equality. Picture: Alex Coppel

And almost three quarters (73 per cent) agreed female sporting role models motivated women and girls to play sport and be active.

VicHealth on Tuesday launched a $7 million funding program aimed at driving more female participation in sport and advancing the profile of elite women’s players.

Female footy trailblazer Daisy Pearce said the “Change Our Game’’ campaign was important to help build the profile of elite female athletes in a variety of sports.

“I’m well read on how important that role modelling is and the genuine impact that has on young girls and their likelihood to take up sport,’’ she said.

“Whether they go on to become our next superstars in these games or just play for fun they both have really huge impacts.’’

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VicHealth research found male participation in sport was double the participation rate of females and women were paid significantly less than male athletes and got a fraction of sponsorship opportunities.

Pearce said the AFL could next year be under pressure to dramatically increase the pay of female players if the inaugural AFLW season was a success.

“The financial stuff will be important,’’ she said.

“I wouldn’t say no.’’

The campaign will encourage people to watch women’s sport live and on TV as well as increase participation.

Aussie women’s cricket captain Meg Lanning said its benefits could be widespread.

“It’s recognising the changes happening in women’s sport but also recognising at the same time there is still work to be done in creating opportunities for young girls coming through,’’ she said.

“It’s about opportunity and awareness and now young girls being able to see their female elite athletes as heroes rather than the males if they choose to.’’

Health Minister Jill Hennessy said there had been a positive shift towards women’s sport recently but more was needed, particularly at the grassroots level

“I think we’re on the brink of a really big cultural change,’’ she said.

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