An Introduction to Health and Physical Education Ted Temertzoglou Paul Challen ISBN 1-55077-132-9

1. Exercise ScienceSection 25: Women in Sport An Introduction to Health and Physical Education Ted Temertzoglou Paul Challen ISBN 1-55077-132-9

2. A Historical Overview • In late 19th century women had to fight “feminine” ideals to participate in certain sports • Told that physical activity would be “harmful” • Inhibit ability to bear children • Physical education was not widely available to women • Dorothy Beale first crusader for female education • Mary G. Hamilton brought physical education to girls

3. Women’s Amateur Athletic Federation • First national body where Canadian women could address sport issues and gain needed support • Encouraged women to participate in sports • Had more members than its male counterpart, the Amateur Athletic Union before outbreak of WWII • Merged with the Amateur Athletic Union after 37 years

4. Pioneering Canadian Sportswomen • Alexandrine Gibb • Helped start Women’s Amatuer Athletic Federation (WAAF) • Served as first president to the WAAF • Fanny Rosenfeld • Named Canadian Woman Athlete for the Half-Century in 1949 • Abby Hoffman • Former Olympic runner • First woman director of Sport Canada and first woman elected to Executive of Canadian Olympic Association

5. Title IX and Its Aftermath • American legislation passed in 1972 • Prohibits gender discrimination of any kind • Allows women and girls same sports and physical education opportunities as for men • Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms passed in 1982 sets out similar laws • Before Title IX, no athletic college scholarships for women • Ratio now much closer between sexes • Affects Canadian women seeking U.S. scholarship

6. Women in Sport Today • Chantel Petitclerc • Won two gold and three silver medals at Paralympic Games in 1996 • Clara Hughes • Competed in both Winter and Summer Olympics • Two bronze medals in cycling; one bronze medal in speed skating • Scott Tournament of Hearts • Colleen Jones • First woman to win championship five times • Won world title in 2001 • Sandra Schmirler • Won three Canadian and three world titles • Won gold medal at Winter Olympics in 1998 • First Olympics when curling was a medal sport

7. Women in Sport Today – cont’d • Team Canada Hockey • Won gold at every Women’s World Hockey Championships • Won silver at Winter Olympics in 1998 • Won gold at Winter Olympics in 2002 • Success led Canadian Hockey Association to create National Women’s Under 22 Team in 1999 • Women’s Under 19 National Soccer Team • Played in final game of first Under-19 World Champioships in 2002 • Alison Sydor • Won silver medal in mountain biking in Summer Olympics in 1996

8. Women in Leadership Positions • Gender representation in leadership positions in sports (i.e., coaches, officials, committee, league, or tournament members) men still disproportionately favour men • Not enough female officials in any sport league • Professional female leagues have difficulty finding female officials for games • Sonia Denoncourt • First Canadian woman to officiate an “A” level international men’s soccer game • Appointed as one of three first-time women officials by FIFA

9. Women in Leadership Positions – cont’d • Daniele Sauvageau • Head coach of 2002 Olympic gold medal women’s hockey team • Carol Anne Letheren • International Olympic Committee member • Director of Canadian Olympic Association in 1981 • Member of IOC Coordinating Committee for 2002 Games

10. Media and Women’s Sports • Media coverage of women’s sports has not increased • Media sending message that women’s accomplishments are unimportant compared to men’s • Young girls have difficulty finding female athletic role models • Tendency to focus on appearance of female athlete rather than skill and talent • Female sports broadcasters were initially hired on appearance • Not readily welcomed in locker rooms for post-game interviews

11. Body Image • Pressure to look a certain way more than ever before • Many believe pressure originates from images of women in the media • Unrealistic expectations sometimes lead to unhealthy diets, eating disorders, and excessive exercise • “The Beauty Myth” • Girls beginning to develop unrealistic beauty images at young ages • Serious health risks due to pressure to be thin • Many do not recognize when risks become dangerous

12. The Female Triad • Syndrome that includes: • Disordered eating habits • Amenorrhea • Osteoporosis • Syndrome related to unique cultural and social pressures in our society • Early identification and intervention are key

13. CAAWS • Canadian Association for the advancement of Women in Sport • Founded in 1981 as a non-profit organization • Promote sports and physical activity for women • Works to gain gender equality in sports • Many programs such as: • On the Move • ACTive • Girls @ Play