Women's sport is here to thrive, inspire and entertain

In less than 12 hours, at the historic Melbourne Cricket Ground, there is likely to be a new record set for the largest in-stadia audience for a women’s sports event. But 8 March 2020 will be significant for more than just a world record.

Growing up in India in the 80s and early 90s, although I played some casual cricket with friends in the park, women’s sport for me was tennis. I really enjoyed watching Wimbledon and the French Open on TV (on India’s state broadcaster, Doordarshan) When I was 9 years old, I declared to my classmates that in a few years they would watch me play at Wimbledon. I barely played tennis but I enjoyed watching Steffi Graf, Gabriela Sabatini, Monica Seles and a few others play so much, that they had soon become my role models. I day dreamed of being like them. I did watch cricket on TV. But it was men’s cricket, so I became a fan (is there any other option in India?) but never dreamed of playing it. 

During my post-graduation in mass communication in Mumbai, I convinced my project group to record a radio programme on women’s sport as part of one of our assignments. For that assignment, we interviewed Diana Edulji and a few other sportswomen who were employed by the Railways. It was exciting for me to be able to speak to so many women who had broken new boundaries during their time. That’s when my awareness of women’s cricket started. 

Then in 1999, in my first proper job, as a broadcast reporter, I covered a training camp for the India women’s national cricket team in Delhi. I must’ve spent 2-3 hours talking to players and that’s when I realised there were so many inspiring stories that could be told to the world. My interest in women’s cricket had begun. 

Exactly 11 years ago, on 7 March 2009, in Australia, Harmanpreet Kaur made her debut for India at the ICC Women’s Cricket (ODI) World Cup and on the same day, the Australia v New Zealand match at North Sydney Oval was broadcast live to the world, a first for a global women’s cricket event. Watching top athletes in action, interacting with them, listening to their stories – it was all very inspiring. I had a new passion and belief – women’s cricket.

In these 11 years of 3 ICC Women’s Cricket (ODI) World Cups and 7 ICC T20 World Cups (including the current edition), women’s cricket has grown and how. 

As I reflect back on those 11 years and indeed my growing years in India, I would like to share a few thoughts (in no particular order) on growing women’s sport:

·      #BeItToSeeIt: If I hadn’t watched those Grand Slams on TV, I would’ve never dreamed of playing tennis (never mind that I never worked towards that dream!). The past 11 years has made it clear to me - for women’s sport to become aspirational and for its players to become household names/role models, it has to be broadcast live widely, to be provided greater and better coverage.

·      Tell the stories, build the heroes: To build role models, the life journeys and off-the-field stories of players are as important as their on-field exploits. Sachin Tendulkar’s story – coming from a modest middle-class family, playing cricket at Shivaji Park was an important part of his narrative. So is Shafali Varma’s incredible and inspiring story of her growing years in Rohtak.

·      Stop comparing, start believing: Whilst equality in prize money, pay, coverage are all important issues which should continue to be debated and pushed for, it is equally important to stop comparing women’s sport to men’s sport because this comparison can be limiting to the true growth potential of women’s sport. Women’s sport needs to believe in itself – carve out its own niche, create its own identity, its own brand (and dare I say its own rules!) and set its own objectives to better itself. 

·      Invest, invest, invest: Women and girls make up 50% of the world, yet many sports federations, media companies and brands don’t think it’s necessary to invest in women’s sport despite the well-researched fact it will give them a greater chance of tapping into a diverse audience and widening their appeal. And revenues.

·      Better societies, better leaders: More coverage of women’s sports, more female athletes as role models will lead to greater interest in grassroots/social participation. So it is upon governments and others (federations, media companies and brands) to facilitate grassroots participation. Why? Because several research studies have shown that girls who play sport have improved self-esteem , resilience, decision-making skills and develop confidence needed to succeed, lead and deliver for their communities and positively impact their societies. Playing sports positively empowers girls and women.

·      Male & female champions of change: To grow women’s sport, it is important to have champions of change who will push for the investment, the coverage and the growth opportunities. And it is important that these champions of change are men as well. Because fathers, husbands, brothers, sons and boardroom decision makers (who are still largely men!) can be as influential as the mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and senior women sports administrators and board members. I’ve seen this first-hand in the past decade or so. In short, growing women’s sport isn’t just the responsibility of women!

·      It feels good: there is something so positive about women’s sport - its players, its fans and its community. They seem to be kinder, friendlier and more compassionate (yet competitive). I read somewhere ‘when women support each other, incredible things happen’. I think this is so true of women’s sport (elite and grassroots); when you support it, incredible things happen.

So, yes, the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final at the MCG is likely to break attendance, viewership and engagement records. But it will also create new role models, aspirations and dreams for girls around the world. 

It will tell the world – women’s sport isn’t here to simply exist; it is here to thrive, to grow, to inspire and to enjoy and entertain millions around the world. 

For everyone involved in the journey of women’s cricket - those who believed in it, who never gave up, who challenged status quo – I hope you all watch and/or follow the spectacle at the MCG. And be proud. And continue pushing for more growth for women and girls across cricket, other sports, in leadership and society. 

#T20WorldCupFinal #WomenInSport

women’s sport isn’t here to simply exist; it is here to thrive, to grow, to inspire and to enjoy and entertain millions around the world.