An even playing field will happen, eventually
OPINION: Proposers of equality in sport need to err on the side of caution.
Women are making headway in sport internationally. This week brought the announcement our world champion Black Ferns will be on the payroll this year.
At $45,000 it may only be a partial salary, but it is a start and we may begin to see more international matches for the women’s side both home and abroad.
In the same breath an absurd idea from across the ditch arose suggesting women’s rugby should be using a smaller ball to ‘‘ramp up the excitement levels’’. The suggestion was made by NSW Rugby boss Andrew Hore, who in his position should know better.
I assume women in sport want to be treated equally to men. I also assume men also want equality both in a professional environment and a sporting environment.
If this is going to happen, be it equal pay, an equal number of women in management roles in sport, or an equal share of the media – then it has to be on an even playing field without any head starts or, to use the golfing term, a handicap to help a woman out.
With this in mind, female sport needs to aim to be on an even playing ground in every way it can.
If female rugby players wish to be taken seriously by the cold and realistic rugby fraternity, do they really need obstacles such as the smaller ball argument clouding an already debated situation? If female rugby players are using different equipment, giving them even the smallest advantage, then the game is already of lesser value and as a result, not the same game at all.
Fortunately NZR are on the same page, with the head of women’s rugby Cate Sexton saying they are simply not interested.
‘‘In talking to many players at the high-performance end of the game, they’re not interested in playing with a smaller ball. In order for them to change their minds, it would need to be backed by scientific research. It would need to be clear that a smaller ball would lead to a better performance.
Unfortunately, rugby is not the only sport that females fall behind in and are treated differently to males.
We are all aware of the tennis argument that pops up every year at the beginning of the grand slam tour. Males play five sets and females just three, therefore some argue males deserve to be on a bigger salary than their female counterparts.
Looking at it this simplistically, they probably do. If a male colleague clocks out of work before me or adds lesser value, why should he get the same amount of pay, respect or opportunity? Time is money – five sets are a longer and more exciting spectacle.
However, several top female tennis players have expressed the desire to play five sets, because they don’t want special treatment, and yes they are more than capable.
Did you know women burn more fat and less carbohydrate during endurance exercise, meaning in long athletic contests, their muscle glycogen will outlast that of men?
Serena Williams, arguably the best player of all time, wants five sets and notes that the Players Council (which she is on) has offered to play best-of-5, but it’s ‘‘not what the tournaments desire’’.
Only last year the International Olympic Committee finally addressed the gap that needed closing in order for women to be equal in the pool.
For decades, the longest distance women could swim at the Olympics was the 800-metre freestyle, while the men’s maximum was 1500m. Male distance swimmers also had a disadvantage because their options were either the 400m or the one kilometre, with nothing in between.
IOC came to the party finally and introduced the women’s 1500m and the men’s 800m in time for the
2020 Tokyo Games. Progress. Now here is an exception to the rule.
The men’s and women’s shot put weighs in at 7.2 kilograms and
4 kilograms respectively. Does this mean our own Dame Valerie Adams’ gold is worth less than her male counterparts?
The same argument can be made of the discus (1kg difference) and javelin (4cm difference) events. Should this be evened out, or does practicality and logic prevail?
Female sport is reaching new heights and anyone wired up correctly should be encouraging and enjoying this time.
But all of those in favour of equal opportunity need to keep a cool head, be patient, be open to criticism and strive for an even playing field in every respect before the opposers are swayed.
Without a level head, we are at risk of undoing the positive steps of the past.
After all, the women’s marathon was only introduced to the Olympic schedule in 1984 – 88 years after the men’s. So the game is speeding up.