Further Magazine Issue #1

February 2022 | £3.99

How sexism is stitched into the sports industry THE PATH TO PROFESSIONALISM It’s time for contracts for female rugby players

“ I want to be

part of a team that wins

“

DRESS NOT OPPRESS

MEET THE RISING STAR OF BIRMINGHAM CITY VEATRIKI SARRI

Contents

07 10 14 16 20 22

We look at the illustrious life and career of Nadia Nadim Veatriki Sarri talks football and furthering her career Is it time for club rugby to hand out professional contracts?

Fighting back against sexist uniform rules BREAKING: the six worst sporting injuries Everything to look forward to this month

Plus more great stories at

www.cardiffjournalism.co.uk/further

School of Journalism, Media and Culture, 2 Central Square, Cardiff, CF10 1FS Craft Editor // Shubhangi Dua Production Editor // Sam Cross Emma Blackmore // David Rogers Olivia Garrett // Hannah Watkin Community Editor // Blathnaid Chennell Production Editor // Ashvin Tiwana Megan Gaen // Tenielle Jordison Siân Hopkins // Craig Strachan Content Editor // James Skeldon Production Editor // Millicent Machell Nikita Achanta // Adam England Abby Allen // Emily Whitehouse with thanks to Debbie Gould // Pete Lopeman Birmingham City WFC // Harry Scott-Munro

We care about the planet and ask that you recycle this magazine when you have finished enjoying it.

@further_mag

and away we go!

F

urther is not like Cinderella; the women we mention do not run away from the ball.

Welcome to the inaugural issue of Further! We are the very first magazine to put women’s professional sport front and centre, over three issues.

Further will champion the outstanding achievements of female athletes. While we spotlight mainstream news in women’s sport, we also pride ourselves on serving women’s sport news that isn’t making headlines but should be. We round up big games, cover social issues surrounding sport, and keep you up to speed with sporting events.

This issue features an interview with Birmingham City forward, Veatriki Sarri, as we follow her journey from a relative newcomer in English football to a regular starter for her club. We then dive into the inspirational story of Nadia Nadim, an Afghan refugee who became a surgeon while playing for the biggest football clubs. This February issue also tackles the misogyny that sportswomen experience all too often with mandated uniform. On a lighter note, we take a look inside Exeter Chiefs Women’s kit bag, and browse some of the top sports–related shows to watch.

We hope you enjoy it, and stick around until the final whistle.

- Further Editorial Team

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The Roundup / Further

United Showdown The magic of the FA Cup returned once more, as National League Bridgwater United took on Super League Manchester United in front of a record-breaking crowd Roundup by Sam Cross Over 2,500 eager fans turned up at Fairfax Park in Bridgwater, Somerset on 30 January as local side Bridgwater United welcomed giants Manchester United in an FA Cup fourth round clash. The hosts made four changes to the side that beat Milton Keynes Dons midweek, as they attempted an upset. Early on, Man United showed their prowess with a silky passing display. With a scrappy goal, Hayley Ladd gave them the lead in the 17th minute. But the hosts maintained defence, led by goalkeeper Beth Howard.

The second half saw more of the same, with the Bridgwater defence pulling out all the stops to keep themselves in the game. In the 81st minute, the visitors netted again, with England international Ella Toone scoring a beautifully placed finish into the bottom corner. The 85th minute saw a debut for Man United’s Karna Solskjær, cheered on from the stand by father and former Red Devils striker and manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær. Bridgwater left-back Emily Wilson-White won the coveted Player of the Match title.

Goal scorer Ella Toone

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The Roundup / Further

Progression Regression Roundup by Craig Strachan

Images: Debbie Gould, debbiegould97 on Flickr (left), Canva, and Robbie Stephenson_JMP

A study released last month has found male football fans are more likely to be openly misogynistic towards women’s football than express progressive attitudes. Durham University’s Dr Stacey Pope conducted the report into 1,950 male football fans on UK fan message boards finding misogyny was more common than progressive attitudes “regardless of age”.

Researchers made clear the context of increased visibility of women’s sport while explaining that “the dominant misogynistic attitudes revealed in the survey show a backlash against advances in gender equality.” However, the researchers at Durham proposed that coverage of women’s sport should be increased instead to help further the fight against gender inequality. Social media users have taken to Twitter to express their lack of surprise at the results. “In other breaking news, water is wet and the sky is blue” said Twitter user @PopContrarian.

Rachel Johnson (right) and Flo Robinson (middle) at the heart of the action.

No sting in this game’s tail Roundup by Olivia Garrett The Wasps and Exeter Chiefs squared up on points after a rough, windswept battle at Twyford Avenue. A lunchtime kick-off saw Giselle Mather’s Wasps meet Susie Appleby’s Chiefs to compete in the 12th round of the Allianz Premier 15s. The Chiefs started in the lead, scorring a try in the first few minutes, but this was later surpassed by Wasps scoring seven points. However, this didn’t last as Exter’s player Zintle Mpupha, the first South African to play in the Allianz competition, stole the lead back. The second half was filled with injuries and yellow cards. Six Nations veteran Bryony Cleall suffered a blow after she scored Wasps’ second try. A slow release from Chiefs meant a penalty to Wasps in the 77th minute, which left a bitter 15-15 result and two points for both teams.

Baby boost Roundup by Hannah Watkin Professional football players in the Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship are to be given guaranteed maternity cover. This cover is to be added to their contracts as part of recent changes agreed by the Football Association (FA) and Professional Footballers Association (PFA).

Cover for long-term illnesses and injuries will also be introduced for the women who play in the top two English divisions. While the specific terms

of the new agreement have yet to be released, the announcement has been welcomed by players and fans. The news comes after the FA shut down calls for contractual cover to be reformed back in March 2020.

Speaking of the new FA and PFA agreement, Marie-Christine Bouchier, director of women’s football at the PFA said in a statement: “The PFA’s aim has been consistent throughout these talks – to ensure contractual parity for our female members compared to the men’s game. There is much still to be achieved, but these policy changes represent important milestones in what are ongoing discussions.”

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WOMEN IN THE

A TIMELINE 1924 : The first Winter Olympics

WINTER OLYMPICS

was held in Chamonix, France, where women only competed in figure skating

1940-1944: World War II Winter Olympics were interrupted by the second world war. Six female Olympic athletes died during the war

1952 : Women competed in 10km cross-country skiing in Norway for the first time

1948 : Women made their debut in the downhill and slalom events as single competitors which put their participation on equal footing with men in all alpine skiing disciplines

1960 : Over 20% of the athletes were women, in part due to women’s speed skating being added for the first time in the USA

1964 : Women competed in 5km cross-country skiing in Austria for the first time

1928 : 15-year-old Sonja Henie won her first of three Olympic gold medals in figure skating in Switzerland

1936 : Women competed in the combined alpine skiing event for the first time in Germany

1976 : Women competed in ice dancing for the first time

1968 : Women’s luge appeared for the first time. Italian luger Erika Lachner won gold after three East German racers allegedly heated the runners on their sleds and were disqualified

1988 : German athlete

1998 : Women’s ice hockey and curling made their first appearance in Japan

Christa LudingRothenburger became the first person to win medals in both Canadian Summer and Winter Olympic Games in the same year

1992 : New Zealand skier Annelise 1994 : The Winter Olympic Games were held separately from the Summer Olympic Games for the first time Finnish skier Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi-Hamalainen became the only woman to compete in six different Olympics

Coberger became the first Winter Olympic medallist from the southern hemisphere when she won a silver medal in the women’s slalom

2002 : Women’s bobsleigh debuted in Salt Lake City with US competitors Jill Bakken and Vonetta Flowers winning the two-woman competition

2010 : Controversy arose when women’s ski jumping was excluded due to a low number of athletes and participating nations in the sport. 15 female ski jumpers filed an unsuccessful lawsuit because men still competed in the same event

2022 : The International Ski Federation 2018 : Lizzy Yarnold won her second consecutive gold medal in the women’s skeleton in South Korea, meaning she is the most successful British Winter Olympian to date

2014 : Women’s ski jumping made its first appearance with German competitor Carina Vogt winning the first gold in Russia

Words by Abby Allen Illustration Credit: Shubhangi Dua

stated its aims to include women’s Nordic combined in the Olympic program for the first time in Beijing, China

Podium / Further

NADIA NADIM

Refugee Footballer Surgeon

She sought refuge in another country, fell in love with football, became a doctor, and is now inspiring young women everywhere Words by Nikita Achanta

Illustration Credit: Shubhangi Dua

N

early a decade ago, on 26 September 2012, Danish women’s football club Fortuna Hjørring claimed a 2-1 victory over Scottish champions Glasgow City in the last 32 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League. Both goals for the Danish side were scored by Nadia Nadim, who made her Champions League debut after having played professional football for seven years. With the first goal from a cross into the six-yard box and the second showcasing her skill, Nadim’s career was only just taking off, as she would go on to become one of the most prominent names in women’s football.

Born in Herat on 2 January 1988, Nadim lived in Afghanistan with her parents and four sisters. However, tragedy struck when her father was executed by the Taliban when she was only 11 years old, forcing the women of the family to escape the war-torn country.

In the hopes of seeking refuge in England, her family travelled to Italy via Pakistan. In her own words on her website, Nadim says her family was under the impression that they were travelling to London. But when they disembarked from the bus, there was no Big Ben or London Eye in sight: only trees. They were in Denmark, and for the years to come, the European country would become her home.

Started from the bottom

With a burning passion for football, Nadim began her professional career with B52 Aalborg, and then moved to Team Viborg, both clubs she played at for a short while. For six years between 2006 and 2012, Nadim made her mark on the football world when she played as a forward for IK Skovbakken. With a total of 91 appearances for the Danish club, she found the net 88 times, making her time at the club nothing short of stellar.

Illustration Credit: Shubhangi Dua

In 2012, Nadim joined Fortuna Hjørring, and on her Champion’s League debut put the ball behind the keeper twice. Her claim to fame, however, came with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) when the French giants won the domestic league in 2021. She also became the eighth highest scorer in France.

While her club career has been spectacular, so has her run as No 9 for the Denmark national team. She was the first person of colour of any gender to be a part of the Danish national squad. Nadim was crucial in helping the Danes secure a spot in the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, as she scored two important goals against Italy in October 2020. She was awarded player of the match, and rightly so: a striker like none other, it was a sweet 3-1 victory.

Is there a doctor in the house?

On the field, no matter how different we are, Rising and rising Nadim has played in Europe as well as the everyone’s fighting for the United States of America. Nadim is well-known in the States for having missed same thing only one penalty kick in her entire Portland

Named one of the most powerful women in international sports by Forbes in 2018, Nadim continues to inspire women all around the world. But a footballer is only one of the many hats she dons.

“Dr Nadim” is the first way she describes herself in her Twitter bio, before adding that she is a professional footballer.

On 14 January 2022, Nadim announced via an Instagram post that she had graduated from Aarhus University as a qualified reconstructive surgeon. From falling in love with football at a refugee camp to pursuing her dreams of becoming a doctor, Nadim has done it all.

In conversation with The Guardian in 2020, Nadim reflected on how wonderful it is to score a goal, and how nothing other than being a doctor compares to that rush of adrenaline. She said, “Not so long ago I played a game and I was really tired but soon after the game, I assisted one of our doctors in a kidney surgery.”

Speaking truth to power

Nadim’s journey wasn’t always smooth sailing. Denmark is a predominantly Caucasian country, and being dark-skinned, she found herself at the receiving end of verbal abuse. In a 2020 interview with Vogue, Nadim recalled how she was called ethnic slurs while growing up.

She has also been trolled by a politician online, racially gaslighted, and physically spat at. But the anger has always

8

served as fuel for motivation, as she proves herself both on the pitch and in the operation theatre every day. As Icon for Hire sang in Sticks and Stones, “I sit higher with each blow; your sticks and stones just forge my throne.”

Nadim spoke about the racism she has endured on a Danish television show previously, after which she was told she was ungrateful. She told Vogue that she even received a text message saying, “Send me your bank account number so I can send money for your flight home.” Denmark is her home as she is a Danish citizen. As a goodwill ambassador for the Danish Refugee Council, she has used her position to help refugees at camps around Africa.

It was the beautiful game of football that made her feel accepted in a foreign land. “On the field, no matter how different we are, everyone’s fighting for the same thing,” she said in an anti-racism campaign video for UEFA, “That’s what made me fascinated and fall in love with the game, because you’re accepted on the field.”

Thorns FC career. She is now back for more, playing with the American side Racing Louisville FC for the latest season.

With 190 club goals for IK Skovbakken, Fortuna Hjørring, Sky Blue FC, Portland Thorns FC, Manchester City, and PSG, and 38 for her national team, Nadim deserves all the acclaim both on and off the pitch.

She does not want to stop helping people. Her dream is to work with Doctors Without Borders in Africa, or as a doctor in Afghanistan. If you want to show your daughter a role model, you should show her Nadia Nadim.

Culture / Further

What we’re watching ...

Cheer

I, Tonya Available for £2.49 on Youtube and Amazon If you haven’t watched this film yet, you’ve probably heard about it — and with good reason.

It tells the true story of Tonya Harding, an American figure skating champion who became embroiled in scandal in 1994, and it is as tragic as it is compelling. Margot Robbie handles the ungraceful character so masterfully that watching clips of her alongside the real Tonya is a little eerie. The perfect movie night watch to provoke deep discussions and analysis afterwards.

Available on: Netflix You might expect a documentary about cheerleading to be all pompoms, gossip and footballer boyfriends — but you would be absolutely wrong.

Cheer is two seasons of unwavering female determination. From Monica the self-made coach, to the cheerleaders who perform nail-biting acrobatic feats, following the Navarro team on their quest to victory makes for the perfect weekend binge.

The Williams sisters are sport icons of our time that have provoked strong reactions in fans ever since they began to gain notoriety on the court. This inspiring documentary explores their lives during the year of 2011, when they were both striving to overcome illnesses. It uses a mixture of childhood videos and newer footage which proves they haven’t lost their mettle in adulthood, despite moneyed tennis fame. If you need a mood-boosting watch, this documentary is perfect.

This drama is based on the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, a professional women’s wrestling promotion that aired in the 1980s. It brings a gaggle of colourful characters together in their pursuit of fame through the sport, all with the biggest hair and most sequined shoulder pads, of course. Glow has been around for a while, but its vibrancy and suspense certainly hold up on a second watch.

Available on: Netflix This documentary follows a team of journalists as they uncover the Larry Nassar sexual abuse scandal in USA gymnastics. A troubling but important watch, it exposes the harrowing abuse and cover-up that affected at least 500 victims, including nine Olympians. Thanks to the courageous work of a group of survivors, justice was served and Nassar has been held accountable. However, this film is a warning against the toxic culture in American gymnastics that allowed him to carry out his crimes.

TUNE IN

OUR SPOTIFY

All images: Cheer: Netflix | Athlete A: Melissa J. Perenson for AP / Netflix | Glow: Netflix

Available on: Amazon

Athlete A

Available on: Netflix

Our podcast

Venus and Serena

Glow

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Interview / Further Name:

Veatriki Sarri

DOB:

01/01/1998

Club: Birmingham City

Former clubs: Leeds United, AFC Fylde,

Sheffield United

2

All images: Pete Lopeman/BCFC

Nationality: Greece

GOT SOME trix sleeve

up her

In conversation with Veatriki Sarri Words by Adam England

In Conversation With / Further

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a curling free kick in the sixth minute of stoppage time, prompting wild celebrations from her teammates and manager. “[Making her debut] was just something else I was really buzzing about—I didn’t really think of it as ‘Oh, I’m making my Women’s Super League debut’; I just thought I’d get on and try and do my best and it worked out…I couldn’t have asked for it any better.”

Her professional club career might be in its relative infancy, but at 24, Sarri is a seasoned international. She made her debut for Greece at the age of 17, something she says she’ll “always remember and be grateful for”.

“

Now, there are opportunities for girls there’s been a massive improvement.

I think in the next couple of years it’s going to be crazy

“I remember getting the call saying, ‘We’re thinking of calling you up for the next qualifying games’,” she explains, “I just thought: great, I’ll get an experience—I probably won’t get on.” She did, of course, and has since received more caps for the national team.

All images: Pete Lopeman/BCFC

T

his is my first year playing full-time football—and that’s something I always wanted to do,” Birmingham City forward Veatriki Sarri tells me, “I’ve enjoyed every moment, and I’m trying to make the most out of it, every single day!”

I’m speaking to the 24-year-old over Zoom on 31 January, the day after she scored the opener in an FA Cup victory against Sunderland, helping to put the club into the hat for the fifth round, where they’ve been pitted against Championship outfit Durham Women’s FC. It’s been a little over a year since she signed her first professional contract, moving from Sheffield United in the FA Women’s Championship.

“Before I signed I played part-time football,” she explains, discussing how she’s made her way up through the divisions.

Indeed, Sarri’s career has taken her to Leeds United and Fylde as well as the Blades and the Blues.

“I’d say there’s a big difference in terms of full-time and part-time football,” she muses of her switch to the professional game, “You’re in every day. Training: that’s the main focus—it’s been really good for me; I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Sealing your first pro contract, and then making your debut—and scoring a last-minute equaliser—against your new club’s fierce rivals is the sort of thing every new signing dreams of, but for Sarri, this was a reality. She had to wait a few months for her debut, but came on against Aston Villa with her side 1-0 down, only to equalise with

In ConversationNews With / Further

off the pitch How should an athlete spend their hard-earned downtime?

“

I’ve always had an interest in doing other things. Obviously, football is my number one - my main focus - but it’s nice to have other things as well.

I’m hoping to grow that eventually, so that hopefully after I retire I’ll still have something on the side.”

On top of her footballing exploits, Sarri is also active on social media - having created a lot of vlogs to give outsiders a closer insight into the game - and is owner of trixgrip socks. She came up with the idea during lockdown, a wearer of grip socks herself.

“I started looking into samples and how I could potentially make a business out of that. It took me more than a year to set the business up and get the final product, which is out now on the website.

“I want to be a part of a team for Greece that manages to qualify for the Euros, the World Cup!” she says, “That would be the dream and hopefully we can qualify and have a good run.”

And who better to fire Greece to these major competitions than Sarri, who started playing football on the street and at school—more so with boys—and joined an academy when she was six? Of course, women’s football has been going from strength to strength, with a much bigger profile across the world than it had during her childhood. As Sarri says herself, “I didn’t know if I’d be able to [become a women’s footballer].”

Sarri grew up watching videos of PSG’s Lionel Messi, and also counts Kelly Smith and current Arsenal captain Kim Little among her role models. She describes a career in football as now being “an option” for young women and girls, where it might not have been previously.

She tells me that, “A lot of girls are striving to become professional footballers and knowing there are teams out there that are full-time, they could actually pursue that as a job. Whereas, for me, it was more just instinct; I enjoyed it.

“Now, there are opportunities for girls; there’s been a massive improvement.

I think in the next couple of years, especially in England, it’s going to be crazy,” she says, before bringing up her own aims, “I’d like to win silverware—I’d want to be part of a team [that wins] the league or the FA Cup, or [win] with the national team.

“Just knowing that I played at the best of my ability, and reached my full potential.”

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“

Commentary Box / Further

What Further thinks

Women’s rugby deserves professionals

By James SkeLDon

P

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for these players. It is only until you get to international level that you start earning as a player. That being said, only 12 of the Welsh squad had been awarded contracts in what was described as a ‘ruthless’ and ‘cutthroat’ decision where the WRU had to decide which players would be awarded funding for their careers. This is unfair as each squad member makes the same sacrifices to represent their nation and they all deserve to be financially supported.

What is remarkable is that it has taken until 2022 for rugby players to

“

We’ve got the chance to change the face of Welsh Women’s rugby

receive professional status. These players are serious athletes and deserve to be supported as such. The dedication and effort that goes into preparing themselves for test match rugby is the same as a male rugby player. They are no less professional in their approach.

As well as the professional conduct that they display as athletes, they also attract impressive viewing figures and

audience participation that is worthy of professional status. Fixtures are capable of drawing in as many fans as the club game in men’s rugby. For example, in the 2021 Six Nations, over 10,000 were in attendance to watch France play against Scotland. Other matches throughout the championships accumulated over 600,000 viewers. It is clearly a sport that the public care about. The 2021 championship’s popularity reflects the interest in women’s rugby. This should be mirrored at club level as well.

The introduction of these professional contracts is a clear indication that there is every intention to move the women’s game forward and this should be reflected at all levels of the game. Players being awarded contracts is encouraging, but more than just 12 players from the Wales squad should receive them. In the future, professional contracts at club level would also be invaluable in the progression of women’s rugby.

All images: Shubhangi Dua | Qunio Al/Unsplash

rior to receiving contracts, the Welsh squad were forced to balance playing professional rugby with full-time jobs in order to support themselves. They had to fund themselves and pay for their own medical procedures.

Alisha Butchers, one of the recipients of the contracts, was once forced to ask for financial help to pay for medical procedures. The professional contracts they have received will give players more financial freedom and the ability to commit to rugby full-time.

Wales’ inspirational captain, Siwan Lillicrap, captured the emotions of viewers with a tear-jerking reaction to the revolutionary contract news. She showed just how much this opportunity means to her and her teammates.

“We’ve got the chance to change the face of Welsh Women’s rugby and we’ve got a chance to change the narrative,” said the Welsh skipper, “That is bigger than any of us personally.”

This marks a huge milestone for not just women’s rugby but women’s sport as a whole. However, there is still far more to be done.

The New Zealand Black Ferns have also been awarded professional status with 30 squad members being given a salary to represent the country, some equivalent to £50,000 a year. This is comparable to many male rugby players’ pro contracts which is encouraging to see.

Additionally, the formation of the Women’s Rugby Association (WRA) indicates a positive shift towards equality.

The association provides support for players on the Allianz Premier 15s to fund their careers as the Rugby Football Union (RFU) does not provide a salary

Wales Women have been given a professional contract for their years of effort and commitment to the jersey. It’s time club rugby follows suit

How To Train / Further

HOW TOasTRAIN a cross-country skier As the Winter Olympics commences this February, Further takes an in-depth look into the training programme of cross-country skiers Words by Abby Allen

1

Focus on endurance

A crucial requirement for XC skiing is strength and endurance, as the ability to maintain speed and movement is the determining factor in this sport. There’s certainly no time for après, as some women’s races can last up to 30km with the winning time for the Winter Olympics 2018 coming in at breezy 1hour 22min 17sec.

So, if you’re already into long-distance running or cycling, you have a head start.

2

Image: Karsten Winegeart/Unsplash

Cross-country (XC) skiing requires athletes to use their own strength and motion to travel across snow-covered terrain without the use of ski lifts or chairs. With the upcoming Winter Olympic Games offering a fresh look at this year’s participating professionals, Further finds out how to train like a competitive cross-country skier.

Don’t be afraid to adapt

While XC skiing typically involves snow and skis, these conditions aren’t necessarily required for training straight off the bat.

Gaining strength to move up, down, and across different terrains over a long period of time can be done through varying levels of training.

Pro endurance coach Kirk Nordgren said, “Get specific with your training by roller skiing, running or hill-bounding with poles, and developing upper body strength and power.”

It’s time to get the disco lights out and the roller skates on!

3

It’s all in the balance

Because XC skiing is such a physically demanding sport, working on specific parts of the body in isolation is key for success.

For example, using roller skates to work on your balance, training without poles, and carrying out specific exercises for your arms, legs, and glutes can be helpful. For your core, try planks, russian twists, bicycle crunches, and sit up, while for arms, try bench dips, pull-ups and press-ups.

4

Ensure rest and recovery

XC skiing is hard work, so you have to give your body and mind a break. US Olympic gold medallist Laura Higgins emphasises the importance of a proper sleep schedule.

“Honestly, if I could go back and tell my 15 year old self one thing to make me a better athlete, it’d be this: sleep more. Everything else can wait, because you’ll do a better job if you’re rested,” she wrote in her blog.

KIT UP Now you have acquired the skills, strength, and mentality of a XC athlete, you’ll also need to look the part: Cross-country skis & poles: these are usually shorter and firmer than normal skis, as they have to grip to terrain that both ascents and descents. Poles assist in balance and propulsion Warm clothing: such as thermal base layers, jacket, socks, gloves, hat, and sunglasses Ski boots: while normal ski boots fix the foot to the ski, XC ski boots are designed to give the foot and athlete more flexibility There will be six different women’s Olympic cross-country skiing events that will begin on 5 February 2022 at the ​​ Kuyangshu Nordic Center and Biathlon Center in Zhangjiakou in China.

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Feature / Further

OVER LOOKED UNDER DRESSED Uniform is the arena where sportswomen can’t win Words by Megan Gaen

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Images: Alexandre Carniato/Unsplash

W

omen’s clothes are often used as an excuse for criticism and objectification. Sportswomen are no exception.

Female athletes’ attire is often the focus of conversation, even as they compete at the highest levels.

In many sports, governing bodies decide the standardised uniform for competitors. But recently, the differences between men’s and women’s sports clothes are stark, even within individual sports and countries.

For example, in the Norwegian beach handball team, the men’s team wore tank tops and shorts, whereas the women were in bikinis. The women’s team decided to take a stand, but there were consequences. They were fined the equivalent of £1250 for not wearing bikinis at the sport’s 2021 European championships.

Feature / Further

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Feature / Further

Somersaults and solidarity

Sportswomen aren’t letting rules like this slide. Making a stand against sexist uniforms in support of the Norwegian team, the German gymnastics team took to the floor in full-body unitards at the European Gymnastics Championships in April 2021.

Gymnast Elisabeth Seitz wrote on her Instagram that the team wore unitards,“For all gymnasts who might feel uncomfortable or even sexualised in normal outfits. Every gymnast should be able to decide what kind of outfit she feels most comfortable in.”

Gymnasts can have points deducted if they make any adjustments to their uniform during their routines, even if this is to prevent themselves from being exposed. This is more of a worry for female gymnasts in leotards. Men typically wear a singlet, a sleeveless leotard, and long, loose trousers or shorts. These catsuits are not only a statement against sexism, but they also protect athletes from exposing themselves.

Dress not oppress

Uniform choice is limited when girls begin participating in sport.

School uniform rules are stringent and the options available to young female students can put them off sport altogether. Lots of physical changes happen to girls in their teenage years, so why set rules that make them feel less confident in the way their body looks?

In a 2021 study of girls aged 12-18 by Victoria University in Australia, the need for the girls to have input in what they wear was clear. They wanted the uniform to be designed for sports and not to show off their bodies. The respondents overwhelmingly supported shorts over skirts, with 90% saying they prefer to wear shorts during school sports.

The study’s key takeaway was a focus on function not fashion.

The girls simply wanted a choice in what they wear for sport. They wanted to feel comfortable in how they look in their sports clothes, which could encourage more teenage girls to participate in sport.

“ Uniforms should help athletes to achieve, not hinder them

Professor Clare Hanlon, the lead researcher of this project, said to ABC News, “Giving non-active girls the option for what they want to wear in order to feel comfortable and confident could be a game changer to make them begin to play sport.”

Bye, bye bikinis

Women in sport should be able to choose what they wear and not be criticised or, in the Norwegian beach handball team’s case, fined for making a choice.

Uniforms should help the athletes to achieve, not hinder them by making them worry about exposing themselves.

The International Handball Federation has changed its stance on women’s uniforms for beach handball since the Norwegian team’s protest last year.

From January 2022: “Female athletes must wear short tight pants with a close fit,” according to the official guidelines. Therefore, the Norwegians’ protest by wearing shorts has brought real change in less than a year. This is a clear move forward for gender equality in this sport’s uniforms.

This retraction of a sexist rule shows how easy it is for governing bodies to help their female athletes. Hopefully, this is the first step towards a bright future that focuses on athletes’ performances, not just their looks.

THE SPORTSWOMEN FIGHTING BACK Stood up against competing in bikinis and won the right to compete in shorts instead in 2021

German Olympics gymnast team: Took to the floor in full body unitards in the European Gymnastics Championship in 2021 Serena Williams: Wore a black tutu in 2018 to protest the ruling that banned catsuits in the US Open

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Images: Alexandre Carniato/Unsplash

Norwegian beach handball team:

The Kit Bag / Further

Pass it on!

Advice from the Exeter Chiefs What do the Chiefs pack to take with them on tour?

Images: Olivia Garrett, Canva, and Habib Dadkhah, Math, Micheile, Mockup Graphics, Jona Novak on Unsplash

A robust kit bag is a must

Clothing is arguably the most important thing to pack! The Chiefs have different kit for travelling, practicing, and playing

Snacks include nuts, oats, fruit, juices and yogurts

Speakers and headphones for on tour entertainment!

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Breaking / Further

BREAKING: FOUR WORST INJURIES IN WOMEN’S SPORT

1

New Zealand Black Ferns rugby player Ruby Tui continued to play after receiving a nasty knee to the head mid-game. Tui was making a tackle to the opposing team after a restart, but an opposing player struck her from behind with their knee, causing Tui to roll away. Tui clutched her head while lying on the ground for a few moments, but got up and rejoined the defensive line. However, after making another tackle, the referee stopped the game due to blood running down Tui’s face from her previous knee to the head.

2

British Olympic gymnast Ellie Downie suffered a serious neck injury while performing her floor routine in the qualifying round in Rio. Downie safely made her way through bars and beams, but when she tried to complete her somersault on the floor, the 17-year-old landed directly on her neck on the mat. She heard a crunch and was put into a wheelchair straight away.

4

During training two years ago, Liverpool FC Women’s goalkeeper Fran Kitching split her head open in an injury that also left her with two black eyes. This occurred as she was trying to recover a loose ball on the ground and suffered an impact with a stray boot. Goalkeepers are susceptible to horrific injuries as they often find themselves near the studded boots of other players. A tiny silver lining is that Kitching’s injury succeeded in raising awareness for the need for head protection.

20 Illustration Credit: Siân Hopkins

3

In November 2020, Brazilian MMA fighter Sidy Rocha continued fighting her countrywoman Karine Silva as part of the Standout Fighting Tournament in São Paulo despite suffering a broken arm. As Silva tried to set up a triangle, she made an effort to grab Rocha’s arm and head but it turned into an arm bar. Rocha’s arm was put under pressure and snapped. However, Rocha was able to keep fighting, before the referee eventually went on to break things up. She was taken to hospital, but decided against having surgery as she’d already had a procedure on the same area previously.

The Challenge challenge / Further

The mental workout Challenge your mind’s muscles with this sports trivia

01

How many people are there in an eights rowing boat?

A. 6 B. 8 C. 9

03

How many medals did team GB win at the London 2012 Olympics?

02

Answers: 1. C 2.Answers: B 3. A 4.1.AC 5.2.BB 6.3.CA 7.4.BA8.5.BB Images: 6. C 7. BCanva 8. B Images: Canva

05

A. Sochi B. Pyongyang C. Tokyo

07

Which of these sports will be new to the 2022 Commonwealth Games?

A. Archery B. Women’s Cricket C. Synchronised Swimming

Test yourself!

A. Foil B. Swashbuckling C. Épée

04

A. 65 B. 55 C. 67 Where was the previous Winter Olympics held, prior to Beijing 2022?

Which of these is not one of the disciplines of modern fencing?

In team pursuit, how many laps of the velodrome are required to cycle 4km?

A. 16 B. 20 C. 24

06 08

Do 15 squats

Which of these is not one of the seven events in the women’s heptathlon?

A. 800 metres B. Javelin Throw C. 100 metres When did beach volleyball become an official Olympic sport?

A. 1996 B. 1992 C. 2016

How many sit ups can you do in one minute?

How many kick ups can you manage?

Try doing some yoga for 30 mins of your day Go for a run!

Answers on the left side!

21

What’s On?

What’s On? / Further

Alpine skiing

Women’s alpine combined gold medal event: 17 February Women’s downhill gold medal event: 15 February Women’s super-G gold medal event: 11 February Women’s slalom gold medal event: 9 February

Biathlon

Bobsleigh Women’s monobob gold medal event: 14 February 2-woman gold medal event: 19 February

Cross-Country Skiing

Ice Hockey Women’s bronze medal event: 16 February Women’s gold medal event: 17 February

Luge Women’s singles gold medal event: 8 February

Women’s 10km classic gold medal event: 10 February Women’s 30km mass start free gold medal event: 20 February Women’s sprint free gold medal event: 8 February Women’s team sprint classic gold medal event: 16 February Women’s 4x5km relay gold medal event: 12 February

Short Track Speed skating

Curling

Women’s parallel giant slalom bronze medal event: 8 February Women’s parallel giant slalom gold medal event: 8 February Women’s snowboard big air gold medal event: 15 February Women’s snowboard cross gold medal event: 9 February

Women’s bronze medal game: 19 February Women’s gold medal game: 20 February

Figure Skating Women’s single skating gold medal event: 17 February

Freestyle Skiing Women’s aerials gold medal event: 14 February Women’s freeski big air gold medal event: 8 February Women’s freeski halfpipe gold medal event: 18 February Women’s freeski slopestyle gold medal event: 14 February Women’s ski cross gold medal event: 17 February

Women’s 100m gold medal event: 11 February Women’s 1500m gold medal event: 16 February Women’s 3000m relay gold medal event: 13 February

Skeleton Women’s gold medal event: 12 February

Also...

Snowboarding

Speed Skating Women’s 500m gold medal event: 13 February Women’s 100m gold medal event: 17 February Women’s 500m gold medal event: 10 February Women’s mass start gold medal event: 19 February Women’s team pursuit bronze medal event: 15 February Women’s team pursuit gold medal event: 15 February

Women’s Ashes 27 January - 19 February Paralympics and Women’s Cricket World Cup start 4 March

Images: Todd Trapani

Women’s 7.5km sprint gold medal event: 11 February Women’s 10km pursuit gold medal event: 13 February Women’s 12.5km mass start gold medal event: 19 February Women’s 4x6km relay gold medal event: 16 February

23

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