Women’s football is always a side of football that is painfully and constantly overlooked by the media and the public. In recent years there have been a lot more attention shown towards women’s football. However, the fight for equal pay, the lack of broadcasting and many more adversities is still prevalent within the women’s game. In more recent years, there has been more limelight and attention shone towards women’s football. The widely popular football game FIFA has started to incorporate playable women’s football teams within the game. This was seen as a major attempt to incorporate the normality of women’s football within the mainstream game.
We have started to see the slow incorporation of women within the mainstream aspect of football. This can be seen with the introduction of women’s linesmen within the Premier league. Along with female TV Broadcasters such as Alex Scott MBE on mainstream platforms such as BBC Football and Sky Sports.
3Lance Media are doing something ground-breaking for women’s football with their new documentary. Highlighting the issues that women face within the game. This documentary shows a real insight into how women within football are treated. The documentary contains in depth interviews with footballers, coaches and female journalists detailing the issues within the game.
Bella Andrew Artha – Footballer for Victoria Park Vixens – “Boys don’t stop playing football but for some reason there is this bracket for girls where if it’s not boys then football is not a thing.”
Episode 1 of the documentary titled ‘Sexism and Sexuality’ dropped on 29 March 2021 with 3Lance Media providing the opportunity for viewers to hear about the level of sexism within the world of women’s football. This is explained with experiences and stories from all aspects of the game. One worrying fact is that all those interviewed, including fans, players and coaches share the same story and same voice. Prompting the world of football to change the misogynistic attitude towards the women’s game.
Drew Diamond – board member “HerFootballHub” – ‘women are one of the most powerful things on this planet, we are here because of women.’
Episode 2 – “Broadcasting Issues” was released on 5 April 2021 and it includes shocking facts regarding the broadcasting issues that women’s football faced. With a clear spike in viewers at the previous Women’s World Cup of over 28 million viewers. There was then a sudden dip in viewers once the World Cup had come to an end. Signifying that there is a major issue with how women’s football is being broadcasted and advertised for viewers to remain interested and watching within club teams domestic seasons.
‘The World Cup was good for legitimating women’s football… what we need to do now is make sure there is a knock on effect for broadcasters and sponsors to invest’ – Maggie Murphy – Manager of Lews FC. As the documentary progresses we are shown how the previous women’s World Cup was widely watched across the globe. Womens football now need to get backed and given more limelight by major brands and broadcasters in order to raise the women’s games profile to the higher heights.
The documentary goes on to reveal that a lot of the footballers within the game have other careers such as lawyers, running care homes and many more. The fact they are willing to work and play football at a high level shows the passion that is very much apparent within the game. This in itself is something that needs to be highlighted and many of the players need to reap the rewards for their loyalty and passion towards the sport.
This docuseries which is released on a weekly basis by 3Lance Media is a refreshing and much needed documentation of the women’s side to the game we all love. Highlighting that society needs to change their views and catch up to the reality that women do like sport and are very good at it. It’s time that women are put on an equal playing field as men on the pitch and off it.
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Words On The Mic 