Presenter bangs the drum for women
TV presenter Clare Balding is hoping the crème de la crème of women’s sport will take titles in tonight’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year in Aberdeen.
Clare, who is hosting the Oscars of the sporting world with Gary Lineker and Gaby Logan, has been “banging the drum” for women’s sport ever since stepping back from her role as a racing presenter five years ago.
And the broadcaster, who has said she hopes to see British Sprinter and 200 metre world champion Dina Asher-Smith on the winners’ list, is excited for the future of women’s sport, although she admits more work needs to be done.
Ahead of the event at the P&J Live arena in Aberdeen – where Scots rugby great Doddie Weir will be honoured with the Helen Rollason Award for his fundraising since being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2016 – Clare said: “Sports like women’s football have grown hugely in status and the investment is increasing.
“But there’s still not enough work that’s done in terms of match previews, match reports, conversation around WSL (Women’s Super League) matches.
“There’s not enough crowds at their ordinary stadiums.
“You have got to be honest and keep driving. And if that means you say, ‘let’s think about this, we have a different audience for women’s football, should we be looking at different kick-off times?
“I will keep banging the drum until the drum doesn’t need banging any more.”
Clare will be joined by presenters Gary Lineker and Gabby Logan, with millions watching live on BBC 1.
Cricketer Ben Stokes is favourite to win, with Wales rugby captain Alun Wyn Jones, Manchester City player Raheem Sterling, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton and heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson in the running.