The Importance of Female Representation in Sports

My dear friend, Caitlyn and I, working in media management for lacrosse. 

Why Women’s Representation in Sports Matters 

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan recognized women for their hard work in the sports industry. 

In 2024 National Girls and Women in Sports Day was celebrated on February 7th and it is a yearly reminder that women in sports are just as important as their male counterparts. 

There are numerous reasons why representation matters in the sports industry so here are a few:

1. According to the Women’s Sports Foundation, girls who participate in sports are more likely to have higher self-esteem or confidence. 

Not only that, but they could have lower levels of depression. Mental health is essential and for young girls who see equal representation, it might give them confidence that’ll help them pursue their desired sport. 

2. Sports provide a multitude of opportunities for athletes, but also the careers unseen by sports fans. 

Such as media management, marketing, hospitality, and more. I have been pursuing sports photography for over two years and the representation I see now has been infinitely more than when I was a kid.

Not only that, but because of sports I have seen many prosperous opportunities. Opportunities like writing for MTSU’s college paper, Sidelines, and learning about how women at MTSU are impacted by sports. 

3. According to Sarah Alaoui, who wrote an article for the United Nations Foundation, 

Sports help young girls to enhance their skills. Skills like critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, and more. 

Sports sets up young children for success and creates a strong foundation for the girls pursuing it whether it be on or off the field. 

Young girls need more role models that represent who they want to be rather than girls trying to fit into a mold that does not suit them. 

When young girls see equal representation that shows them that they are just as worthy and deserving. For some, that could be sports so when younger generations see women pursuing their careers in sports with confidence, that sends a valuable message. 

Although the road to success will forever be long, the number one key for young girls in the sports industry is to never take no for an answer when you are pursuing your dreams.