Women's League

[kruddler]

No, even clubs that that had the money to pay players through sponsorship and food and drinks etc, have been prohibited to do so. But even for the clubs who struggle, it's that old adage 'you have to spend money to make money'. The investment in facilities for women's sport is ridiculous in comparison to men. The amount of footy grounds that don't even have change room facilities to cater for women is crazy. Also there's the fact that women's clubs who share facilities with a men's club, often get relegated to training and playing at times that aren't entirely convenient because the men get first priority.

The commitment and sacrifice that a lot of women make to play footy is (in my opinion) a lot greater than guys at the same level, yet the women get rewarded far less. For example, in both the clubs that I played for, we shared an oval with men's teams. That meant that we trainined on Wenesdays and Fridays because the guys got the oval on Tuesday and Thursday. Our games are on Sunday's because the blokes have Saturday games. This means if you want to play footy and you're female, you better be prepared to give up your entire weekend to footy and say goodbye to a social life for 6 months every year. Can't really do much on Friday nights because you have training, can't do much Saturday nights because you've got a game the next day. Can't really go out after the game if you don't live near your ground because there aren't any appropriate shower facilities to clean up after the game.

I know it sounds trivial, but these factors prohibit a lot of young women from fully committing to a sport, which means the pool is even less than what it could be.

Look, i agree with you that women have it harder. I fully understand everything you are saying. Basically the men 'pull rank' and the women get whats left. I know its unfair in that regard.

What i am suggesting by playing devils advocate is that it is that way, and may always be that way, simply because more people (both men and women) are more interested in watching the men play.
Essentially, i don't think it is that way because of some gender issue exactly, but more of a supply and demand issue.
Women may never get the same as men (in football) because ultimately it is a business and it is easier to make money loking after the men, as that is what the majority of people want.

Its like saying that the over 35's leagues don't get as many advantages as the mens side. Thats not ageist, its just the way it is as people are not as interested in it.
Its like saying that people who want to play hurling in Melbourne can't find a place to play because the grounds are all taken up by cricket, soccer, rugby and football. If you go to Ireland, its the opposite.

I'm all for giving Women as much help as we can give them in setting up their own league with all the bells and whistles. I can't forsee it growing to the level that AFL is at though. Because of that, they will never get the same 'help'. How big it grows depends on how much 'help' it gets. Of course its a catch 22 as how much help it gets depends on how big it can get....to a certain extent at least.

So again, i don't wish to take anything away from the moment. I am probably more happy than the majority of people if this site is anything to go by. I just think everyones expectations vary wildly with what this could actually mean to the club and individuals.