Reflective Report on Women's Participation Framework in Sports Clubs

This report offers a reflective analysis of the design of a participation framework for women in sports. It begins with an introduction to women's empowerment and the underrepresentation of women in sports clubs, highlighting the importance of addressing gender stereotypes and promoting equal opportunities. The report explores government strategies and policies, such as the Australian government's initiatives, and identifies barriers to women's participation, including limited access to facilities, social stereotypes, family responsibilities, lack of support, and concerns about safety and equal opportunities. The report critically evaluates recruitment processes, emphasizing the need for proactive efforts to enhance women's participation. It also outlines strategies for sports organizations to increase female involvement, such as providing funding, flexible schedules, recruiting experienced women, sponsoring events, and promoting gender equality in decision-making. The report concludes by emphasizing the importance of collective action and women's empowerment strategies to foster greater participation in sports, providing a comprehensive overview of the issues, strategies, and potential improvements.

A reflective report on the
design of a participation
framework

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Strategies and policies for women ..................................................................................................1
Barriers to retain the women participation in sport clubs................................................................1
Critical evaluation of processes involved in recruitment and participation of women in sports.....2
Strategies used by sport organisations for increasing the women participation..............................3
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................3
REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................................4

INTRODUCTION
Women empowerment goals are still not achieved in every sector of the economy. The
sports club are still deprived of the active participation of this half population of the world. In
this report I will evaluate the strategies related to women and analysis of barriers which prevents
the women participation in these sports clubs. With this report I will critically evaluate the
recruitment process and strategies to enhance the women participation in sports fields.
Strategies and policies for women
Under the office for women strategy of Australian government I have observed that
government is greatly dedicated to empower women. Despite the tremendous development I
have observed that majority of women community do not have economical security due to the
lack of their participation in workforce. There are areas such as sports in which women
participation is very low and they rarely held crucial role of leadership. In my opinion this
scarcity is mainly due to the gender stereo types associated with the girls and women with sports
(Houlihan and Malcolm, 2015). It is considered that women have lower capabilities and thus
they cannot participate in sport activities which requires strength.
I have analysed that to develop a positive attitude towards sports among women they
must be encouraged from childhood only. Workshops and awareness programs must be held in
order to create awareness that women have rights to equally lead and participate in sports
(#ChangeOurGame campaign to boost profile, participation in women's sport, 2017). At earlier
stage the girls must be given proper guidance regarding health misperceptions in association with
the sport activities. Women have equal rights to participate in sports and to achieve its benefits as
achieve by men. The women in sport strategy can enhances the investments, workplace culture,
leadership and participation in sports. As per this strategy training facilities and funds to support
women participation needs to be increased (Spoor and Hoye, 2014).
Barriers to retain the women participation in sport clubs
I have analysed and can found that there are certain barriers which prevent women from
joining sports clubs. The barriers which restricts the women retention in sport clubs are as
follows:
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 Most of the women do not have the access to sports facilities. They want to participate in
sports activities and sports club but without access they are restricted. \
 Social and cultural stereotypes regarding strength of women discourage most of the girls
that from childhood only they consider the sport as isolated and not to consider field.
 I have also observed women's who want to join these sport clubs but owing to the
responsibilities of their family they are unable to participate in these sports activities
(Basterfield and et.al., 2016). The lack of moral support from families and society forces
them to choose only responsibilities instead of selecting both.
 There is feeling of uncertainty and fear among women that in sports clubs they will not
be given equal opportunities and safe environment. Their security can be at risk and they
cannot have opportunities to lead in the male dominating field.
 I think another significant barrier which prevents women is the lack of opportunities.
Without opportunities women find it difficult to follow any role model and thus they
make strong belief that they must not participate in sports club. Because neither they will
get opportunities for success nor these clubs will provide them equal respect and wages
as the leading role models of men community.
 Women have focused approach on the concepts of beauty and appearance standards. So
despite benefits of sports women choose to avoid these activities. It is very difficult to
encourage them in regards with these aspects (Woods, 2015). However, there is section
which actively participate in sport with the same reason that sports will enhance their
overall physique.
Critical evaluation of processes involved in recruitment and participation of
women in sports
During the recruitment process of sports club the recruitment authorities never has goal
or even thought of recruiting women. They believe that women's may not be capable enough to
handle the role perfectly. I have analysed that this preconception regarding women's capabilities
is one of the driving force to prohibit their participation (Burton, 2015). As per my view, to deal
with this situation women need to take strong efforts. For instance their active participation in
sport activities at national and regional level from childhood can help in developing trust in
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sports authorities. The government authorities can also enhance the women participation by strict
regulations which ensure the equal opportunities and safe environment for women within sports.
Strategies used by sport organisations for increasing the women participation
To enhance the participation of women sport organisations can use following strategies.
 Sports organisation must provide facilities and funds with support of government to the
girl's player who want to participate in sports but do not have funds (Stronach, Maxwell
and Taylor, 2016). To encourage the women who are occupied with family
responsibilities these organisations can provide flexible timings so that they can
participate as players.
 Organisations can recruit experience women candidates to encourage the upcoming
talent. It will also make them feel secure and motivated. To create awareness among
people organisation can also sponsor sports events and activities. It will create excitement
and awareness among women's regarding sports and will give message that women can
also become part of these clubs.
 Sports organisation must provide equal opportunities to experienced female candidates to
perform the role of referees and score instructors so that other inactive girls will also
consider the sports club as a great opportunity (Women are active, creating opportunity
for sport: ASC, 2017).
 In order to demonstrate the gender equality sport organisations must involve women
participants in decision making of the organisation. They must be given equal
opportunities to frame organisational policies. This approach will encourage women's
that sports organisations can also provides benefits and leadership scope to women's
(Young and et.al.,2015).
CONCLUSION
From the report it can be concluded that we can increase the women participation in
sports by collectively adopting the women empowerment strategies and by encouraging women.
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The report has described the strategies, barriers and methods of improvement relating the women
participation in sports.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Basterfield, L., Gardner, L., and et.al., 2016. Can't play, won't play: longitudinal changes in
perceived barriers to participation in sports clubs across the child–adolescent transition.
BMJ open sport & exercise medicine. 2(1). p.e000079.
Burton, L.J., 2015. Underrepresentation of women in sport leadership: A review of research.
Sport Management Review.18(2). pp.155-165.
Houlihan, B. and Malcolm, D. eds., 2015. Sport and society: a student introduction. Sage.
Spoor, J.R. and Hoye, R., 2014. Perceived support and women's intentions to stay at a sport
organization. British Journal of Management. 25(3). pp.407-424.
Stronach, M., Maxwell, H. and Taylor, T., 2016. ‘Sistas’ and Aunties: sport, physical activity,
and Indigenous Australian women. Annals of leisure research. 19(1). pp.7-26.
Woods, R., 2015. Social issues in sport. Human Kinetics.
Young, J.A., Symons, C.M., and et.al.,2015. Role models of Australian female adolescents: A
longitudinal study to inform programmes designed to increase physical activity and sport
participation. European Physical Education Review. 21(4). pp.451-466.
Online
#ChangeOurGame campaign to boost profile, participation in women's sport, 2017. [Online]
Accessed through <http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-01-31/change-our-game-campaign-
to-boost-profile-womens-sport/8227110>
Women are active, creating opportunity for sport: ASC, 2017. [Online] Accessed through
<https://www.ausport.gov.au/news/asc_news/story_665922_women_are_active,_creating
_opportunity_for_sport_asc>
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