After the Matildas’ 2023 Semi Final game reached 11.15 million viewers and became the highest-rating TV program on record at the time, the discussion of gender inequality in Australian sporting came to the forefront. How could it be possible that while achieving the highest viewing numbers in Australian sporting history, our women’s professional teams were earning substantially less than their male counterparts and experiencing massive resourcing disparities?
Men playing at the highest level of their sport receive salaries in the millions, while their female counterparts, playing at the same level, have to work additional jobs to supplement their income. This disparity exists on all levels of sporting, according to the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) and the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the median full-time annual income for men that classify as a ‘sportsperson’ is $67,652, while women in this category earn $42,900.
This is one of the major barriers for women, however there are also a myriad of other obstacles which continue to discourage women from participating in team sports.
Some of the challenges faced by FNC Women’s Program include:
- Cultural and social norms
- Lack of access and resources
- Less media coverage and representation
- Economic barriers
- Social expectation related to body image issues
In regional areas, many of these issues are intensified, with lower player numbers, limited competitions, distance and significantly less communication with the community, latent players and potential sponsors.
BRS is supporting FNCRU in their pursuit to foster participation growth, professional opportunities and development, international success and excellence, and increase media coverage. The goal is to support an inclusive environment in which female athletes can thrive, create lasting friendships and social connections, build resilience and confidence, and enhance their skills and fitness at all levels of rugby.
BRS is thrilled to endorse the Barker Ryan Stewart Cup competition, which reflects our own hope to foster a community in which gender equality can thrive. To us, the Cup represents the resilience and resolve of female athletes, and the incredible effort FNC Women’s Rugby puts into supporting gender equality, through the opportunities they provide, and the environment of sportsmanship, excellence and success they’ve created.
We are keen to see the competition kick off this April and are beyond proud to support such an incredibly Important initiative.
