#ThisGirlCan celebrates a year of success

SPORT England’s campaign This Girl Can has been inspiring women across the globe for the past year.

According to the BBC, the campaign has reached over 2.8 million women between the ages of 14 and 40, and 1.6 million women have started exercising as a result.

This is a monumental push to bridge the gender gap in sport participation. The gap currently sits at 1.73 million fewer women playing sports in England than men.

This Girl Can started on 12 January, 2015, and has since thrived on social media channels. The campaign’s most popular drive has been it’s video content:

Inspirational videos are a common trope in the age of social media. Various global companies have targeted women to encourage them to participate in sport and exercise. BBC Get Inspired has produced a homage to the This Girl Can campaign.

The female sanitation company Always published the #LikeAGirl video on 26 June, 2014. The video has been viewed on Youtube 60,415,799 times.

The director, Lauren Greenfield said: “When the words ‘like a girl’ are used to mean something bad, it is profoundly disempowering. I am proud to partner with Always to shed light on how this simple phrase can have a significant and long-lasting impact on girls and women. I am excited to be a part of the movement to redefine ‘like a girl’ into a positive affirmation.”

Sport England’s ‘This Girl Can’ and the Always #LikeAGirl campaigns are both trying to make gender a positive factor in the rhetoric of sporting ability. This is important. We are women and we play sport as women. Gender should never dissuade someone from taking part in sport or exercise.

What else can we do to inspire future generations of girls to participate? 

I believe there needs to be a celebration of inspirational, older women, who naturally inherit the position of role model through life experience and tradition. It’s all very well presenting current sport stars as female role models but that does not often leave a lot of time for girls and teenagers to strive for sporting potential in their prime.

We should be applauding mothers, grandmothers, teachers and grass-roots coaches as women who can show girls how to really be #LikeAGirl and that #EveryGirlCan.

Looking back and honouring great sporting achievements of the past is a great way to inspire the sportigirls of the future.

We must recognise the often un-sung heroes that are our mothers. My mother has driven me countless miles across the UK for sporting events. She has picked me up after many failures and has shared in my joy of success. She has been team doctor, team mascot, team mum and my all-time greatest supporter. It is mothers who show us #ThisGirlCan.

Have any ideas about how to increase female participation in sport? Let me know by commenting below or contacting Sportigirl on Facebook or Twitter. 

 

 

 

Jolly Hockey Sticks: An Interview with Jo Westwood

In my quest to find inspirational sportswomen in Wales, I interviewed Jo Westwood, a Welsh hockey star, aspiring coach and all-round top quality sportigirl.

Jo Westwood (left in black) playing hockey for Wales

Jo’s greatest sporting achievement to date was representing Wales at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Although the team finished in ninth position, it was a fantastic moment for Hockey Wales.

As an U18 international, Jo won a silver medal at the U18s Division B in Prague and a bronze medal at the UK School Games.

Aside from her international commitments, Jo (now 22) plays for Swansea City (also known as the Spartans) and Cardiff Met University. The Spartans play in the West conference of the English national league and go to club Europeans, representing Wales as the country’s top club.

Jo is quite the champion of amateur sport in South Wales. Before reaching such hockey heights, she played football for Welsh development and cricket for Wales from U13 to seniors. She is also an aspiring coach and has had recent coaching success with the Welsh hockey juniors.

Jo Westwood (27) representing Wales

I wanted to find out what drew Jo to hockey and what advice she can give to any girls/women who are thinking about taking up the sport.

 

SG: When did you start playing hockey?

JW: I started playing hockey in high school when I was 11 years old. My teacher said I was good so I joined the school hockey club and immediately found that I could transfer skills from my other sport – cricket. The main difference is that you are running after the ball in hockey instead of standing and waiting to hit a cricket ball. My schoolteacher advised me to join a local club so I started playing for Whitchurch Saints.

 

SG: Why is hockey such a great sport for women to get involved with?

JW: Hockey is part of the high school PE curriculum, so almost everyone in Wales has probably had a go at some point. One great thing about hockey is that when you shoot at goal, you hit the ball as hard as you can – it is a great stress relief!

I found out recently that professional hockey players run as far or further than footballers or rugby players. If you start playing hockey you will without a doubt notice your fitness levels rising. It’s also a good sport for improving coordination – hitting a small ball is not always easy!

 

SG: You have played many sports at a high competitive level. What made you focus on hockey?

JW: I have had Welsh development training for football whilst playing for Cardiff City Ladies. I also represented Wales at cricket from U13 through to Seniors as well as playing for Whitchurch Heath boys and men, St Fagans and eventually Newport Women.

To be honest, I didn’t really choose hockey until the last minute. The big decision for me was to drop cricket for hockey. The international hockey season is through the summer and the club season is in the winter so I play hockey all year round. Cricket is primarily a summer sport and after juggling both sports for a few years, I decided to dedicate my time and efforts to Welsh hockey. When I progressed from U18 level to Seniors, I decided that long-term hockey was an exciting challenge because the sport is a lot bigger and more well known. I was given captaincy and responsibility and the prospect of travelling around Europe with hockey seemed like fun!

(Jo’s choice certainly seems to have paid off! She was shortlisted as Performance Player of the Year at the 2015 Hockey Wales awards.)

SG: Tell us a little bit about your coaching responsibilities. Why do you enjoy coaching and what is your proudest moment as a coach?

JW: I am a pool coach for Wales girls U16/18 (NAG). I also coach a Cardiff and Vale regional team (schools), Cardiff Medics Ladies first team and take sessions at the South West 360 centre.

I love coaching because it allows me to pass on all my knowledge and experience to others who are keen to learn. Watching others succeed is an unbelievable feeling – it’s completely different to playing.

People sometimes get frustrated with coaching. There are times when I just want to be on the pitch helping the team! It is interesting to watch the journeys that players take and compare them to my own journey. I also learn a lot from players because everybody approaches things in different ways. This helps me to develop as a player-coach.

My proudest moment so far was being a bench coach for the Wales U16s first ever victory against Scotland a few years ago. It was such an amazing feeling to see the girl’s so happy. My Cardiff Medics are also doing really well on Saturdays and Wednesdays. Every time they win I have a massive smile on my face!

Jo Westwood playing for Swansea City (Spartans)

SG: What do you think about the current state of hockey in Wales?

JW: Welsh hockey has definitely improved over the last few years but the standard needs to be higher if we want to compete properly with England. Clubs need to start releasing young, talented players to high performing clubs like Swansea or English clubs like the Firebrands, so they can experience top level hockey and then reintegrate that standard back into the Welsh leagues. There are lots of talented young individuals in Wales. As coaches we need to help them move on and progress rather than watch them plateau and not reach their potential.

 

SG: What advice can you give to any women/girls thinking about taking up hockey in Wales?

JW: Hockey is a team sport that will help you develop close friendships. My best friends have come from playing hockey (SG: So have mine!). It’s also great for fitness and stress relief. There are lots of schemes available for those who want to join for some social fun and also for those keen sportswomen who want to perform at the highest standard. Get online, contact your nearest club and give it a go!

You can find all the information you need at: http://hockeywales.org.uk/

 

 

Here come the girls: BBC SPOTY 2015

Tomorrow the UK celebrates a year of sporting phenomena at the annual BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards.

The awards will be shown on BBC One from 18:50 – 21:00 (GMT).

Top award of the night is the 2015 BBC Sports Personality of the Year. There are 12 finalists: Lizzie Armitstead, Lucy Bronze, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Mo Farah, Chris Froome, Tyson Fury, Lewis Hamilton, Andy Murray, Adam Peaty, Greg Rutherford, Max Whitlock and Kevin Sinfield.

To get you all excited, here’s a look at the three inspirational sportswomen who have been shortlisted for the 2015 award.

Jessica Ennis-Hill

Age: 29           Sport: Athletics

Jessica Ennis-Hill is the national sweetheart of British athletics and has now deservedly been honoured with a new nickname: the Come-back Queen!

In August, Ennis-Hill won her second world heptathlon title at the World Athletics Championships in Beijing. This was only 13 months after the birth of her son Reggie.

The IAAF World Championships in Beijing was the first major competition that Ennis-Hill entered in three years, and yet she came away as the world champion – talk about a sporting superstar!

The heptathlon consists of seven track and field events: 100m hurdles, high jump, shot put, 200m, long jump, javelin throw and 800m.

This is the fourth time the heptathlete has been nominated for a BBC SPOTY award. Her previous record is: 2nd (2012), 3rd (2010) and 3rd (2009).

#InTheNews:

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/aug/23/jessica-ennis-hill-heptathlon-gold-beijing-world-championships

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/34032016

Lizzie Armitstead

 Age: 26           Sport: Cycling

Lizzie Armitstead is a champion of British cycling.

She became the 2015 World Road Race Champion after a tough 130km race in Richmond, Virginia, where she out-sprinted Anna Van Der Breggen (Netherlands) to gain victory by just one wheel.

 

Armitstead also won a second successive Road World Cup and claimed the British title.

2015 was a truly stunning year for the 26 year-old and has catapulted the cyclist into the starlight of British cycling.

This is her first nomination as BBC Sports Personality.

#InTheNews:

http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/lizzie-armitstead-wins-womens-world-championship-road-race-193204

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/34371510

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/26/lizzie-armitstead-cycling-world-champion-nicole-cooke

 Age: 24           Sport: Football

Lucy Bronze is one of our fiercely competitive and talented lionesses!

She played an important part in the most successful England football campaign ever, helping them to reach a record third-placed finish at the Women’s World Cup in Canada.

The Man City defender was shortlisted for the Golden Ball player of the tournament award. One of her two goals was nominated for goal of the tournament:

Bronze is the first female footballer ever to be shortlisted for a BBC SPOTY award.

#InTheNews:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/england/11709420/England-womens-Lucy-Bronze-goes-from-making-boys-cry-to-World-Cup-glory.html

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jul/06/lucy-bronze-england-women-football-world-cup

Who do you think deserves to be crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2015?

#ThisGirlRows: Llandaff Rowing Club

ROWING is something I have always wanted to try. However, I have never quite made it from the gym to the water. Hockey made its claim on my sporty trunks first and I have not looked back! The only time I considered taking up rowing was during university, BUT (and this is a big BUT), the strict early morning training and far too regular ergo sessions did not appeal alongside student life!

For those (more dedicated) souls, rowing is a fantastic sport that involves full body exercise and increases your fitness levels tenfold. It grants the opportunity to spend time outside and appreciate nature as you become one with the water. Proper rowing is different to the on-land ergo training that you can do in the gym. It requires technique, cooperation and an awareness of safety and the water.

There are eight rowing clubs in the Cardiff area. Llandaff Rowing Club is one of the most established and successful.

Llandaff Rowing Club

Llandaff RC has more than 200 members of different abilities, ages and ambitions. Rowers use the club’s 1,200m stretch of water on the River Taff, and also have access to the facilities in Cardiff Bay for longer distance training. The club has four boat sheds, a large fleet of boats and a well-equipped gymnasium for on-land training.

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The sport takes up a great deal of time and commitment. Vigorous training schedules mean spending a lot of time with the same people. This creates a friendly and engaging social sphere, which was immediately clear upon my arrival at the club.

To my great pleasure I was greeted by a very excited puppy, who I later learned was the new mascot for Llandaff RC. This set a delightful tone for the rest of the morning.

I entered the clubhouse to the welcoming smell of bacon butties and sausage baps. In the upstairs bar area, rowers were sat engaged in friendly chatter and eating breakfast together after their morning training sessions.

Everyone was sporting a slightly cold, wet and wind-swept look, dressed in leggings, coats and wooly hats. But that did not stop the warm cheer that spread around the room whilst coffee, tea and porridge was free flowing.

It was very clear that everyone was good friends. Laura Starrs, the Senior captain, explained rowing friendships:

When you start rowing, you have your rower friends and your other friends. After a while you just have friends … who all happen to row!

The women joked about having rowing wives because of the amount of time they spend together. They often go for tea and cake in Llandaff’s  Jaspers tea rooms after training.

They showed me the callouses and hard skin on their palms and knuckles, making even my scar-ridden hockey hands seem fresh and unblemished. But this has not deterred these dedicated and enthusiastic women. Rather they are invigorated by the frequent exercise and fresh air.

Breakfast passed quickly and I was then given the opportunity to watch the women getting out on the river for their second training session of the morning.

A crew of four work together to get a boat out of the Llandaff boat shed.

On a typically busy Saturday morning, the men, women and youth were all out on the water together and boats were crossing paths all over the yard. Crews worked together to get the boats out of the sheds and into the water by the landing stage.

Once the boat was in the water, the crews had to get the oars in the right position and the rowers into the boats. After a little jiggling and adjusting, the ladies were ready to push off:

I managed to get a few quick photos before they progressed down the Taff.

There is something rather beautiful about the boats as they glide through the water and the crews working together in harmony. Rowing is a sport that can be peaceful at a time of high intensity exercise. Similar to cycling or running, once you reach your rhythm it can be strangely therapeutic.

Now for the more nitty gritty club information. Full membership at Llandaff RC grants access to all club facilities and training for only £300. This may seem like a large sum but it is well worth the cost when you consider what the club has to offer.

There are training sessions every day, early morning access to the river, pilates classes and everybody’s favourite ergo sessions! Nothing is compulsory.

The dreaded ergo machines!!!

Rowing at Llandaff is open to all ages. They have a Masters set-up for older rowers. It initially started as a recreational group but some of the women have now started competing. In June 2015, two Masters rowers, Rosa Baik and Mary Yee, won a silver medal in the W MasC Nov double at the British Rowing Masters Championships. This was their first time racing together.

The club actively promotes the sport and is always trying to attract new rowers. They are having a taster session in January, targeting those who have resolved to join a gym in the New Year. Proper novice sessions will start in the Spring when the weather is better.

I will certainly be joining in with one of these taster sessions … and I intend to take my mother along as well! #TheseGirlsRow

 

It’s a man’s world: Lack of media coverage for women’s sport

This week I published two articles about the upcoming Wales Sport Awards. I was particularly excited about who might win the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year. I was happy to wax lyrical about the brilliance of Gareth Bale and the stalwart determination of Lee Selby. It was only afterwards that I realised I hadn’t gone into any detail about women’s sport in Wales.

There are in fact, two fantastic Welsh sportswomen up for the BBC Cymru Wales Sports Personality of the Year Award.

Taekwondo athlete Jade Jones is nominated after winning gold for Great Britain at the inaugural European Games in Baku in June. She also won the Samsun and Manchester legs of the 2015 World Taekwondo Grand Prix series and came second in Moscow. Jade has automatically qualified for the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

Triathlete Non Stafford is also up for the award. Non returned to action in 2015 after a 20 month absence with a foot injury. The 26-year-old booked her place in the Great Britain team for the 2016 Rio Olympics by coming second in the World Triathlon Grand Final in September.

 

Why didn’t I write about Jade Jones or Non Stafford? When I asked two friends who their favourite Welsh sporting heroine was, they could not answer. That is not to say they are not interested in sport, but as average sport news consumers, they are only aware of the big names like Gareth Bale and David Beckham.

Thus I decided to do a little experiment. At approximately 8pm on Wednesday 25 November, I pulled up a selection of sport news websites to see just how much female coverage there was.

Sadly there was very little.

BBC Sport

Two articles about women’s football…

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/

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Sky Sports

No articles about women’s sport on the home page…

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ITV Sport News

No articles about women’s sport on the home page…

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As you can see – so far, there was an awful lot of football coverage and not much else! I decided to look elsewhere at the American site, Sportsnet.

Sportsnet

No articles about women’s sport on the home page…

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Is it any wonder that young women with only a passive attention to sport, fail to name female sport stars? There is simply not enough coverage of women’s sport by the major media outlets.

Ofcourse there are female specific sports news sites but only actively engaged followers will visit these sites.

Unfortunately this is a complex issue. Media organisations claim that there is not enough money or interest in women’s sport and therefore no incentive to spend money covering it.

I believe that the only way to eradicate this unfortunate pattern is to grant women’s sport more air time and press coverage. This will raise awareness of the vast range of women’s sport that is out there and will therefore increase followers and media value.

I hope that one day we will live in a world where women’s sport gets the coverage and attention it deserves. Right now, the culture of sport existing within a man’s world is damaging to the prospects and progress of women’s sport.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Women’s cricket: A day in the nets with Sportigirl

 

WOMEN’S cricket has become hugely popular over the last 10 years.

The England women’s cricket team is currently ranked second in the ICC women’s rankings, behind Australia (the Southern Stars). In 2014, England became the first full-time professional women’s cricket team. This was a huge step for women’ sport.

Southern Stars vs West Indies women’s cricket. Taken by NAPARAZZI on November 2, 2014. https://www.flickr.com/photos/28990363@N05/15520009767

International women’s cricket now has considerable media attention and female cricketers are starting to get international acclaim.

2015 has been a big year:

This summer, the England fast bowler Kate Cross became the first woman to play in the Central Lancashire League.

In October, Sarah Taylor (England wicket keeper) became the first woman to play Australian Grade Cricket.

Sarah Taylor and Ebony Rainford-Brent at the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in Sydney, March 2009. Taken by NAPARAZZI on March 12, 2009. https://www.flickr.com/photos/28990363@N05/3385232491

A how-to guide to the front foot drive:

On Monday 16 November I went to the Swalec Stadium indoor cricket school to have my first net of the winter.

I created this short video, highlighting some of the basic elements to a front foot drive:

 

I spoke to a few female cricketers to see why they enjoy the game and to ask why other women should get involved.

Common responses:

• Keeping fit
• Developing new skills
• Great social scene
• Opportunities to travel
• Chances for individual performance within a team environment
• Mental and physical challenge

 

Sarah Ginn (Warwickshire Coach): “Cricket is great because it has taken me all over the world and it’s a fab sport for girls as it doesn’t just rely on strength but skill and fitness too. There are lots of different elements you can specialise in as an individual whilst also being part of a team.”

 

Ffion Cartwright representing Wales at the Indoor Cricket World Cup. Taken by Jess Ward.

Ffion Cartwright (Welsh international cricketer): “I enjoy playing cricket because it allows me to socialise and have fun at the same time. It’s a great sport to take part in because it allows you to keep fit whilst developing new skills.”

 

Sophie Luff (England Women’s Academy & Somerset Women): “I enjoy playing cricket because it’s a team sport but also a sport where individual success can thrive. It has developed me as a person, through leadership opportunities and dealing with challenges both on and off the field, in the UK and abroad. It’s allowed me to visit some amazing countries.

“Girls should take up cricket because it’s fun, competitive and in the professional era in which cricket now sits, a sport you love could become a career.”

Ffion Wynne representing Wales. Taken by Jess Ward.

Ffion Wynne (Welsh International cricketer): “Cricket is a great sport for girls because participating in a team environment increases confidence not only physically but in terms of meeting new people. It also allows you to succeed individually and enjoy the success of others too.”

 

Gwenan Davies (Somerset Women): “I enjoy playing cricket because it gives you the opportunity to travel the UK / other countries with good friends. Whilst it has its physical benefits, I think the biggest benefit is being able to have a big social circle within the sport!”

 

Lucie Johnson representing Wales. Taken by Jess Ward.

Lucie Johnson (Welsh cricketer, cricket coach & works at Glamorgan CCC): “Cricket, both playing and coaching, has hugely influenced my life. I have travelled the UK and South Africa, coached around Wales and worked for Glamorgan Cricket. More girls should participate in Cricket as it allows you to challenge and improve the understanding of your body, physically and mentally.”

 

If you are interested in playing cricket, contact your local County Cricket Board to find out where your nearest women’s club is.

http://www.cricketwales.org.uk/

 

 

CARDIFF RUNNING CLUBS: The story of #JEN’SJOGGERS

Running is a great form of exercise because it is simple, free and most people can do it.

Why join a running club?

• Training for an event – half marathon, park run, Race for Life etc.
• Losing weight.
• Valuable me-time.
• Keep occupied whilst the kids are training.
• Meet like-minded people.
• Companionship.
• Positive peer-pressure.

There are lots of social running clubs in Cardiff. It is also very easy to start a club yourself. Get together with a group of friends, get a good pair of trainers and set off!

#JEN’SJOGGERS

One step at a time . . .

On Monday 9 November Sportigirl went to the Cardiff International Sports Stadium to meet Jennifer Stone, founder of #Jen’sJoggers – a social running club, affiliated to Cardiff Amateur Athletics Club (Cardiff AAC).

#Jen’sJoggers formed in August 2015. It was originally a women’s running club for parents of the children training at Cardiff AAC. The group has grown from three to 15 women over the last few months and welcomes social runners from all over Cardiff. A few men have now joined but they often split off and run longer routes.

Jen (left) and two runners.

The average age of the group is about 40. A lot of the runners are dedicated mothers, with full-time jobs and busy lives. #Jen’sJoggers provides an opportunity for some quality me-time and a chance to build companionship with like-minded women.

Jennifer Stone’s aim is to get women to start running or to rediscover running for fun. She said:

“I think people lack confidence. Some people won’t come because they don’t think they are fit enough.”

Jen wants to give confidence to women to join a running club. The group does not encourage an elitist or competitive atmosphere. Rather, they have created a support network and a safe space where women can exercise to the best of their abilities.

One runner said “there is great peer pressure in a group,” but described this as positive. The runners are put outside their comfort zones and they help each other through difficult scenarios.

When the group first formed there was an agreement to run at the pace of the slowest jogger. If they needed to walk, they would walk. On their first outing, not a single runner stopped to walk. They ran continuously for forty minutes.

#Jen’sJoggers meet at the Cardiff International Sports Stadium on Monday nights at 6.45pm. They run together for 40 minutes exploring different routes. In the summer they run along the River Taff and when the children train in Roath, they run in Roath Park.

Jen has taken a Leadership in Running and Fitness course and is now adding more dimensions to the sessions. They incorporate sprint training and hill runs to their Monday training programmes. The group recently tackled Leckwith Hill (those of you who know the hill can appreciate this achievement).

#Jen’sJoggers

Another aim of #Jen’sJoggers is to try and get more women involved in cross country events. These events vary between 5,000m and 7,000m. So far, three ladies from #Jen’sJoggers (all in their 40s) have competed in cross country events for Cardiff AAC. Jen said: “It felt like a huge success.”

Now, Cardiff AAC has entire families competing in cross country events together. #Jen’sJoggers is a FREE running club but runners must pay membership if they want to race in cross country events.

Cardiff AAC is great to be affiliated with because it boasts many international athletes. If you have children at the club “it’s a nice way to get to know the other parents.” As well as meeting new people, running with #Jen’sJoggers could lead to other exciting opportunities.

It’s time to get fit and go running “instead of going to the clubhouse and drinking tea.”

For those who have been inspired by the story of #Jen’sJoggers, why not start jogging? Get together with a group of friends and RUN! One step at a time . . . Don’t be like this:

A FEW CARDIFF RUNNING ROUTES:

Pontcanna 5K

Heath Park 5K

New Lake Run 5k

barrage 3.6 5k (Cardiff Bay)

bryn seri 6 km

6km canal route loop around (Radyr)

For more information contact:

jen.stone51@hotmail.co.uk

http://www.cardiffaac.org

http://sport.wales

Inspirational Sportswoman of the Week: Billie Jean King

BILLIE JEAN KING

Billy Jean King and doubles partner Anne Guerrant

Billie Jean King is ace! Not only has she served up some astonishing tennis but she has also made quite a racket about social inequalities both in sport and everyday life.

A Few Facts:

• 39 Grand Slam titles: 12 singles, 16 women’s doubles, 11 mixed doubles.
• 20 career titles at Wimbledon.
• First Grand Slam singles title was against Maria Bueno at Wimbledon in 1966 – she won (6-3, 3-6, 6-1).
• Represented the U.S.A in 7 Federation Cup and 9 Wightman Cup competitions.
• Total career prize money = $1,966,487.
• First female athlete in any sport to earn more than $100,000 in one season.

THE BATTLE OF THE SEXES, 1973

In 1973, King (age 25) won the Battle of the Sexes tennis match against Bobby Riggs (age 55). This was an exhibition match with a prize of $100,000 and it attracted huge media attention.

Bobby Riggs had criticised the state of women’s tennis and made a mockery of the Battle of the Sexes match until Billie Jean King beat him at his own defensive game to win the match (6-4, 6-3, 6-3).

This was hugely important for women’s tennis. It empowered female athletes around the world and it legitimised King’s petitions for equality in tennis.

THE QUEST FOR EQUALITY

When the Open era began in 1968 King campaigned for equal prize money. She won the U.S Open in 1972 but received $15,000 less than her male counterpart. King threatened to boycott the Open in 1973 if the prizes were not equal.

In 1973 the U.S Open became the first major tournament to offer equal prize money.

When did the major Open tournaments introduce equal prize money?
U.S Open	1973
Australian Open	2001
French Open	2006
Wimbledon	2007

Billie Jean King founded the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973 and the Women’s Sports Foundation in 1974.

In 1981 King became one of the first prominent, female professional athletes to come out as a lesbian. She has done a lot of work advocating for the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

On 12 August, 2009 she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama for her work for equality. In 2013 King was among the first class of inductees into the National Gay and Lesbian Sports Hall of Fame.

In 1990, Life Magazine named King one of the “100 Most Important Americans of the 20th Century”. This is thoroughly deserved for a woman who set the ball rolling for professionalism and equality in women’s sport.