Where are the women helpers

billy the kid · Post by **billy the kid** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 2:43 pm

Its a women's game right? Don't dissmiss this as gender biased. Read on.

I go to games and was involved quite heavily in the game however, there is a distinct lack of women who stay on after they retire to help out a team (or get involved in any way).

It's a women's game but it seems that if it weren't for the blokes, then there will be no women's game. Go to a men's/boys footy/soccer match, again its the blokes.

Next time you're at a game, or 2 or 3, have a look (as I have for years) at those involved at the clubs, coaches, managers, committees, run the lines, put the nets up and down, the majority are blokes.

Danger is that if the women don't start to run their own show it will not progress.

Dr.D · Post by **Dr.D** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:53 pm

I guess it depends on the club... I know that the club i am involved with has 2 men's teams and one women's team and yet the committee is 60% women...

Clubs like OUT in Div 3 and UniSA in Div 1 have no volunteers at all so the players do it all....

It really depends on the club

Unretired · Post by **Unretired** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 3:54 pm

Most of the time youll find the women in the canteen...

How many men do you see standing behind that counter?????

Also as a women myself I have and still do a lot of work at the clubs where I have been.
Most clubs I have been associated with the team mangers and Trainers are usually women even in the boys comps....

So I really dont know where yuor coming from with this topic?????

All of the SAWSA board are Women. There are no men on that.......

Dr.D · Post by **Dr.D** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 4:09 pm

I think Mrs Trainer this is one of those instances where even though the woman does the ironing and the washing and the cooking and the dishes, because she doesn't mow the lawn and take the bins out the neighbours think she doesn't contribute because they don't see her working hard behind closed doors....

It's a basic hunter gatherer principal, so what - the guys mark the lines and put up the nets, and the women run the canteen and wash the uniforms as long as someone is doing the job for the club and they're happy to do it, the world keeps turning regardless of gender....

old_trafford · Post by **old_trafford** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:48 pm

All valid points and I agree with most of them.

One of the problems with the womens league is that in some instance and particular clubs they are not taken as seriously as perhaps they should be.
Probably stemms back from the dark ages when women were dragged aroud by their hair.

The young women I coach for instance chip in where possible and support the club probably better than most of the men. However I choose to put up the nets as I see it as a part contribution in addition to coaching them with the game.

I am trying to encourage them to run the line but with my girls it is more a confidence thing as they are all still new to the game .. so it becomes a little difficult.

Mrs trainer I think you said all the SAWSA bods are women .. a good point yes but I honestly believe that this could be aided with the introduction of a male or two. Not to then be dominated by them but as contributers.

Hopefully this doesnt insite a male v female war. Not the intention here.

Unretired · Post by **Unretired** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 9:24 pm

Old Trafford.

I agree that it would be great for men to be on the SAWSA board as well.

it is only all women mainly because no men actually put their hand up to go on to it.

I think you will find that SAWSA would be quite happy for men to go on the board.....

KrAzY · Post by **KrAzY** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:35 am

lol how many mothers who may not even attend games help the club out by washing strips week in week out!!! Ull never see the work they doo! hahaha

old_trafford · Post by **old_trafford** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 8:16 am

Mrs Trainer wrote:Old Trafford.

I agree that it would be great for men to be on the SAWSA board as well.

it is only all women mainly because no men actually put their hand up to go on to it.

I think you will find that SAWSA would be quite happy for men to go on the board.....

Must be that "Comittment" fear we men must have

Dr.D · Post by **Dr.D** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:41 am

Mrs Trainer is correct about the SAWSA board. Last year a position became available on the board and application / nomination forms were sent out to all delegates... Many of whom are men... There was only one application for the spot and that person got the job.... It was a female.

I don't think it's fear of committment, i think that the people who are on the board are people who (whether we agree with them 100% or not) are passionate about the women's game... I think the people who are going to be MOST passionate about women playing soccer are women... And that's nothing against guys at all....

shorty · Post by **shorty** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:02 am

old_trafford · Post by **old_trafford** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:58 am

Dr.D wrote:Mrs Trainer is correct about the SAWSA board. Last year a position became available on the board and application / nomination forms were sent out to all delegates... Many of whom are men... There was only one application for the spot and that person got the job.... It was a female.

I don't think it's fear of committment, i think that the people who are on the board are people who (whether we agree with them 100% or not) are passionate about the women's game... I think the people who are going to be MOST passionate about women playing soccer are women... And that's nothing against guys at all....

Dr. D Although a delegate at the meetings this year for the first time I wasnt aware of any positions being available .. not to say it didnt happen .. but perhaps if the opportunity comes up in the new season I would be willing to give it a go.

Need to know whats involved first of course .. will ask the question of Wendy. Would love to help out as I have enjoyed this year .. so far.

Agree with your passionate comments.

Dr.D · Post by **Dr.D** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 11:41 am

Traff thats excellent... I think more heads, only gives us more ideas and that can only improve the game

lollipop · Post by **lollipop** » Sat Aug 11, 2007 1:09 am

WELL DONE TO MRS. Trainer, V, Mrs. K and mum down at fulham..

Oracle · Post by **Oracle** » Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:50 pm

lollipop wrote:WELL DONE TO MRS. Trainer, V, Mrs. K and mum down at fulham..

In my opinion what I see is not that there aren't women supporting clubs but the quality of helpers at some of the clubs. Its a disgrace that clubs are not providing quality lines people!! If you're going to nominate at least have a good understading of the game and every Prems game should have people running the line that are at least out of Primary school!

Give credit to the Prems players they train and commit their time to clubs, but find that their skills are not respected by the quality of the lines people!! I have often seen teams of I'm guessing parents on side lines but leave the running of the line to young children!! This is not the time for them to learn the game, if you want to learn about running a line then start at junior games not at PRemier League games!!! Give credit to the girls / women in our Premier league teams with qulity referees and lines people!! Man or women.

diegom · Post by **diegom** » Tue Aug 14, 2007 3:55 pm

lollipop wrote:WELL DONE TO MRS. Trainer, V, Mrs. K and mum down at fulham..

U back in Oz??????

Must agree, without the hard work from women helpers ie washing kits, canteen, kitchen duties etc - most clubs will not get where they are now. We need MORE women helping and running diff areas in local clubs

Congrats and keep up the Great work ladies!

billy the kid · Post by **billy the kid** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 1:26 pm

with the imminent (and dissapointing) departure of City's and Westies coaches, (blokes) might be time to see some of the mums move from the wash room to the coaching box!

KrAzY wrote:lol how many mothers who may not even attend games help the club out by washing strips week in week out!!! Ull never see the work they doo! hahaha

Travan · Post by **Travan** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 6:47 pm

the women are out there, we are just not always seen!
Maybe this is an indicator for all the women and girls who are reading this formum to think about a future in coaching, refereeing, managing or being a trainer.
I know SAWSA would appreciate the help!

Dr.D · Post by **Dr.D** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 10:52 am

I have noticed an increase in female team managers and trainers around the traps at Super League men's games in the last 12 months

pvfc · Post by **pvfc** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:41 am

CUWFC has many female officials & volunteers.
All but one of the committee members, both the sports trainers, most of the team managers, and one of the coaches (plus at least 2 or 3 other female coaches have licences but dont coach at the moment).
Of course there are also others who help out when they can.
I would suggest that many clubs rely heavily on female volunteers etc, and without their help it would be even harder to keep clubs operating properly.
As Travan says, they are just not always seen. This is likely to be because the coaches are often the main points of contact at a club for players and parents, and at most clubs the coaches are still predominantly male.

Dr.D · Post by **Dr.D** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 1:04 pm

Its probably worth noting that the tendency to lean towards male coaches is not just a grass-roots thing, you only have to look at the World Cup to see that this is also they case at national level around the globe.

Noteably of course Germany who won the world cup has a female coach.

paul merson · Post by **paul merson** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 8:04 pm

Travan wrote:the women are out there, we are just not always seen!
Maybe this is an indicator for all the women and girls who are reading this formum to think about a future in coaching, refereeing, managing or being a trainer.
I know SAWSA would appreciate the help!

Surely, like mens football, its the one position you want filled by the opposite sex?
We have 2 hence why I re-signed at metro!!

Missing Post Count · Post by **Missing Post Count** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:22 pm

paul merson wrote:
Travan wrote:the women are out there, we are just not always seen!
Maybe this is an indicator for all the women and girls who are reading this formum to think about a future in coaching, refereeing, managing or being a trainer.
I know SAWSA would appreciate the help!
Surely, like mens football, its the one position you want filled by the opposite sex?
We have 2 hence why I re-signed at metro!!

To Mati · Post by **To Mati** » Fri Oct 19, 2007 11:57 pm

Missing Post Count · Post by **Missing Post Count** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 12:59 am

Travan · Post by **Travan** » Sat Oct 20, 2007 8:19 pm

ha-ha yes the idea of your trainer being the opposite sex is very interesting! but at te end of the day they are there for a reason and from what i have experienced all take their positions seriously.