On Friday, reigning Women’s Super League Champions, Chelsea will take on Aston Villa in the opener of what looks to be another huge season for the women’s football game. But while for players and fans, the most important thing happening will be on the pitch, a new survey has found there are important consequences off the field too.
A new survey commissioned by Sky Sports has found that a huge 88% of people believe that watching female athletes on TV inspires young women in sports. For Sky’s part, they will show Sunday’s game between title contenders Arsenal and Manchester City, continuing the put the women’s game on the biggest stages around.
The statistics are important and cheering reading when placed against the background of a growing gender fitness gap. In February, a report by Asics found that more than half of UK women were dropping out of or stopping exercise completely for reasons like being time poor (80%), low self-confidence (55%) and not feeling sporty enough (58%).
79% agree that TV plays a vital role in increasing visibility of sporting role models.
As the saying goes, you can’t be what you can’t see, so the growing profile of women in sport is key to bridging this gap – whether that’s a record number of mothers at the Olympics and Paralympics, or WSL players regularly part of the TV listings, front and centre of sporting conversation. Sky Sports’ survey also found 70% of people see professional athletes as the most influential role models in sport for young women, showing the crucial role female footballers play in shaping the next generation. More than three quarters of those surveyed (78%) believe female footballers are becoming more prominent in both celebrity culture and fashion. 79% agree that TV plays a vital role in increasing visibility of sporting role models.
To celebrate the launch of the WSL this weekend, Sky Sports brought together one player from every WSL team for a special shoot.
Manchester City and Lioness player Alex Greenwood said: “The WSL is an amazing league and to have each club represented at this shoot with Sky was great to see. Whilst we’re on different teams, we are in it together to keep inspiring the fans and pushing the women’s game forwards.”
Jo Osborne, head of women’s sport at Sky Sports added: “At Sky Sports, we are dedicated to showcasing the exceptional talent in women’s sports, not only to entertain, but to inspire fans and encourage greater participation especially amongst the next generation. Bringing all the Women’s Super League clubs together for this shoot is the perfect way to kick off the season and build excitement for seeing these incredible players back on our screens this weekend.”
In a blockbuster opener, Arsenal will host rivals Manchester City at Emirates Stadium, exclusively live on Sky Sports and streaming service NOW on Sunday 22 September. Coverage starts at 11:30am on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Showcase – available in all Sky homes and included in a NOW Entertainment Membership.
Rhiannon Evans is the interim content director at PS UK. Rhiannon has been a journalist for 17 years, starting at local newspapers before moving to work for Heat magazine and Grazia. As a senior editor at Grazia, she helped launch parenting brand The Juggle, worked across brand partnerships, and launched the “Grazia Life Advice” podcast. An NCE-qualified journalist (yes, with a 120-words-per-minute shorthand), she has written for The Guardian, Vice and Refinery29.
