Abbie, creator of Her Way, calls for immediate changes to how women’s sport is portrayed and covered in media

She’s the 12-year-old who decided there was something wrong with sport media — and decided to do something about it. Now, she’s interviewed some of the world’s biggest stars.

Young sports journalist Abbie, from Her Way

One warm Friday evening in December 2020, my little sister and I had just finished a ‘Woolworths Blast Cricket’ game.

It was a weekly session for about 20 primary school-aged girls in our local area. When our parents picked us up, I asked dad, “is there any cricket on TV?” He paused and said, “yeah, Australia is playing… but it’s the men’s team.” My sister very sincerely responded, “I didn’t know boys could play cricket as well?”

You see, for me and my sister, watching women play any sport is something we consider normal.

I’ve been able to play Aussie Rules, cricket and League Tag in competitive teams and have never once been told I couldn’t because of my gender. But it wasn’t always like this.

Even though I’m 12, I’ve done enough research to know that women have fought for decades to have the same opportunities as men when it comes to sport. It’s something I really care about and part of the reason I do what I do.

Since launching my women’s sport platform HER WAY in late 2021, I’ve interviewed some amazing female athletes who have helped us get to where we are today. ‘You can’t be what you can’t see’ and these women are changing the future for so many young girls. It’s inspiring and I’m so happy to be part of it.

To be guest editing the Power edition of Insight Sport and to be named alongside some of these inspiring trailblazers who have played such big roles in changing women’s sport is incredible. It just goes to show there is a pathway for women in sport, not just athletes.

Young sports journalist Abbie, from Her Way who wants to help change the landscape for women’s sport

WE NEED VISIBILITY

HER WAY started because I noticed a lack of reporting on women’s sport.

It’s estimated that only 10 per cent of Australia’s sports journalists are female, and on any given day, 96 per cent of the sports news reported is about men. I wanted to help change this and elevate the world of women’s sport however I could.

It’s such an exciting time to be part of women’s sport. Its popularity is exploding around the world. In 2022, there were record football crowds for the women’s Euros, the women’s basketball World Cup in Sydney, Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, plus recently the WNBL set a crowd record, and it’s only going to get bigger with this year’s football World Cup.

The best bit is that these athletes are inspiring young girls, young boys, grown men and women.

Recently in country NSW, a group of boys were meant to be playing cricket when they spotted a woman kicking a Sherrin. One of them asked, “Excuse me, are you Alyce Parker?” Indeed, it was the Giants AFLW All-Australian midfielder, and she invited the boys to have a kick. Without the visibility of female athletes on TV, a moment like that may never have happened!

By taking the time and money to make female athletes household names, it’s giving kids twice as many role models – surely that can only be a good thing?

Athletes in women’s sport don’t train any less than their male counterparts and they often sacrifice much more, yet we are still so far off equality.

TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW

Change takes time but there are small things that can happen immediately to improve things in women’s sport like different scheduling and more respect for the athletes in general.

Playing in blazing heat as a curtain raiser isn’t always ideal particularly when so many athletes are coming from full time jobs and most of their fans are coming from school or work. After a recent A-League women’s match in Sydney, the sprinklers were turned on in preparation for the men’s match leaving some of the women players soaked. A bit more thought would go a long way.

Even if you aren’t a part of a major sporting team or work with professional athletes, you can still support and help to grow women’s sport. Watch women’s games on TV, go out to games near you and support local athletes or just encouraging kids you know to get into sport and watch it. Kids can’t be what they can’t see!

I will keep promoting women’s sport. This momentum it has right now is an opportunity that can’t be wasted.

Female athletes being paid reasonably should be the norm; female sports journalists and commentators should be making up half of our media, not a small minority; and more women should be in charge of sports clubs, organisations and broadcasters so that the decisions being made represent everyone.

Women’s sport has come a long way, but we’re not there yet. If you care about current and future female athletes, what are you going to do to help them?

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