Peter Carr
The Beautiful Game continues throughout Australasia in the form of the Women’s World Cup – a display of skill, finesse, grace and fairness. The footballers have been – and continue to be – a joy to watch as they prove very clearly that professional sport is not the total domain of the male sex.
Firstly, to the organisers, a well deserve congratulations on putting together a duo of spectaculars covering both sides of the Tasman. The television coverage has been superb, the grounds in spectacular condition and general crowd attendance well up with the expectations of the sponsors. And a word for the 100 percent feminine group of on-field officials who have kept the game flowing – a stark example to the staccato-like whistle-frenzied activities on the netball court.
That sport is also embroiled in a world event and the fine young women who give their all to it (including social and family life) are to be admired. But employing an Amazon-proportioned goal attack who has the bodily attribute to almost drop the ball through the hoop belies the overall skills that are displayed. The game does not flow as it should and becomes a stop-go stutter with over-zealous officials and no doubt frustration for the players. What is apparent at the top level is that the current New Zealand coach has the strength of her convictions and does not shy away from telling it as it is.
Returning to the ladies’ soccer. I had not realised that the fine athletic ladies roaming the pitch are mainly drawn from professional teams where the names Juventus, Arsenal, Barcelona and Real Madrid are standard fodder. There is clearly a need for a wider education on the feminine side of the game which in New Zealand – both male and female – draws poor spectator numbers and deserves much more. I sincerely hope that they are well paid and have not had to suffer the longevity and struggle of improving pay scales that Portia Woodman and her colleagues have in the rugby franchise.
Whether it is soccer, rugby or netball we are watching professionals at play – and at work – they deserve our support and an appropriate return for their labours.
That said there are many other sports where the ladies shine – on the Cambridge local scene both rowing and cycling come to mind. Their financial return for their labours is pitiful unless they manage to gain an Olympic slot every four years. The hard grit of pre-dawn, cold morning starts for rowers, whether on the water or attached to the hateful erg, must be admired. This gritty input – mainly outside of their normal working hours – calls for a different degree of admiration and a suitable reward in addition to medal around their necks. Meanwhile velodrome-bound exertions are equally hard on the body where domination of coaches brings its own (sometimes unfortunate) pressures and social mores.
Ladies we salute you in all your sporting endeavours. You have a right to feel proud and, similarly, you have a right to be justly rewarded.
