More education can tackle sexism stigma in Cambridgeshire, says women's club
There's been a rise in sexism and misogyny reports within football
A women's grassroots club in Cambridgeshire hope the upcoming World Cup will help tackle sexism within the game.
Figures from anti-discrimination group Kick It Out found reports of sexism and misogyny at professional and grassroots level last season jumped by 400 per cent.
Kick It Out CEO Rob Burnett has raised concern by the rise in reports and has called on fans, clubs and governing bodies to help tackle these issues, as well as racism and discrimination.
Kay Churchyard is vice-captain at Chatteris Town Ladies who play in the Cambridgeshire Girls and Women’s Football League.
“I think men have a big impact in the women’s game,” she said.
“Not all but the majority are still quite sexist; it is a difficult thing to get past, but I think it’s educating those people that women can play.”
"We need to get behind the women"
Kay started playing football when she was around six-years-old but had to stop five years later because there were no girls teams to join.
But despite the growing percentage of sexism and misogyny in the game, she hopes the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will continue developing women’s grassroots football.
“What I don’t want to happen is if we’re not as successful in the World Cup, is for it to die off because that wouldn’t happen in the men’s game; it would go from strength to strength,” she said.
“We need to get behind the women.”
Sexism and misogyny saw biggest jump in reports
Kick It Out found that racism accounted for 49.3% of all reports made in professional and grassroots football in the 2022-23 season.
While sexism and misogyny reflected the largest rise of a specific type of discrimination.
Sophie Holden captains Chatteris Town Ladies feels there is another stigma for women to contend with:
“I guess there is that stigma that girls and women can’t play football as well as the men,” she said.
“Hopefully that's something we’ve proved wrong and the ladies in the World Cup will hopefully continue to show we can do it just as well.
“I can’t see why there should be a barrier to young girls enjoying sport and I think the World Cup should help push that.”
"There are so many role models to look up to"
England kick off their World Cup campaign when they face Haiti on Saturday, as they look to add another trophy on top of the Euros last summer.
Sophie believes that through the Lionesses, they can act as an inspiration for youngsters wanting to play.
“There are so many capabilities and good role models for young girls to look up to,” she added.
“Sport can be so important to that because it’s good for your body, but you have others around that will encourage you and make you feel good about yourself.”