Player | Points |
---|---|
Rory Bothwell (EDW) | 29 |
Quinlan Laverdiere (CCH) | 27 |
Kendi Lundell (LEE) | 27 |
Kaylee Stagman (CCH) | 24 |
Goalie | SV% |
---|---|
Havana Batke (EDW) | .940 |
Kaylee Eleniak (SPS) | .939 |
Carolyn Demchuk (LEE) | .936 |
Kaylee McKay (CCH) | .922 |
It’s no surprise that traditional media tends to cover male dominated sports over female sporting events. This plays a crucial role in the challenges women continue to face in professional sports. Starting at a young age, girls tend to start sports later than boys, and often drop out sooner - a participation rate of 7% to 10% lower, according to an article by the LA Times called “Study shows women athletes still face barriers” in 2020. (Wharton)
It’s difficult to dream up a reality of professional sports if you can’t actually see or experience those ‘like you’ doing it for themselves. Not to say there aren’t great professional female athlete role models, we are sure there are! However, we are challenged with the fact that they might not be as shiny to the general public as male athletes due to the lack of media coverage and awareness.
This is just a domino effect of what challenges females face in sports in general:
Access
In Alberta, Canada we are grateful for the opportunities that fuel our sporting community, especially the facilities that house Alberta Junior Female Hockey League. However, this isn’t the case in all locations or regions. Lack of physical education in schools (both high school and college) means there are a lot of opportunities missed for young women. Not to mention the adequate playing facilities that may not reside in a specific area requiring travel and more cost.
Gender Bias
Despite our more modern world, an article by The Women’s Sports Foundation states that girls in sports still experience bullying among purposeful performance ratings and loss of positions due to their gender. (King) The ideology that girls and women are to be more ‘fragile’ or ‘polite’ adds to the devalue they experience in sports.
Overall Experience
Both access and gender bias leads us to the quality of a young girl's experience in sports. It can be discouraging or seem impossible with barriers like a lack of opportunities or facilities. It can also create an avoidance of being judged or bullied for doing activities that are not only outside their comfort zone, but also others around them.
Cost
It’s no surprise to any parents that have children in sports - equipment, training, practices, league fee’s, etc. can be expensive. Not to mention travel if necessary. Although there are many scholarships and grants, not everyone can receive them. With a lack of identity for women in sports, it’s hard to justify the ‘why,’ especially when there are large costs involved.
Alberta Junior Female Hockey League continues to pave the path for organizations alike to break these barriers. To be a place of acceptance and encouragement for women in sports. We provide opportunities so women too have fair coverage for their talents, and advocate for more financial aids, sponsorships and facilities to support women in sports. We believe the more awareness we give to women in sports, the more these barriers will continue to break.
Learn more about Alberta Junior Female Hockey initiatives.
1. King, Billie Jean. “Do You Know the Factors Influencing Girls’ Participation in Sports?” Women's Sports Foundation, https://www.womenssportsfoundation.org/do-you-know-the-factors-influencing-girls-participation-in-sports/. Accessed 16 August 2022.
2. Wharton, David. “Study shows women athletes still face barriers.” Los Angeles Times, 15 January 2020, https://www.latimes.com/sports/story/2020-01-15/study-shows-women-athletes-still-face-barriers. Accessed 16 August 2022.
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