For many of us, our emotional connection to sport is what drives our love. Whether it’s growing up watching the cricket with our grandmother’s or going to the footy with our aunty or playing netball on a cold Saturday morning with our best mates, sport is as emotional as it is political. It reflects every facet of our lives.
That emotional connection we have to sport is at the heart of research released by True North last week that revealed who our favourite sports teams are. It’ll likely come as no surprise to members of the Siren community that it was women that topped that list of our favourites.
Taking out the number one spot was the Australian women’s cricket team, who earlier this year won the T20 World Cup in front of a record crowd at the MCG. The Matilda’s, the women’s rugby sevens team and the Diamonds round out the top four.
That these four national teams could rank so highly despite the consistently disappointing coverage of women’s sport in mainstream media, speaks volumes about the power of women’s sport.
It’s pretty clear that we love these remarkable women and their incredible feats on the field. The research demonstrates that we feel a connection to them and their stories. And there are stories aplenty! So what exactly is the roadblock here in terms of mainstream coverage?
As our friends at the Outer Sanctum would say (and we agree!): open. the. door.
Get ‘em while they’re hot
In super exciting news, you SOLD OUT our Siren Sport badges!
We have people showing their love of women’s sports on their sleeve all across Australia and some have made their way to New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, England and The United States!
But never fear—the next batch is arriving very soon so be sure to get your orders in quicksmart so you don’t miss out on these one!
The proceeds from the sales of these badges go right back into Siren so we can keep doing what we do every week. We are so thankful to everyone who has already brought our badges, your support means the world to us.
Covering the coverage
Our partnership with Swinburne University of Technology sees us continuing to cover the coverage through June to see how women’s sports are tracking in mainstream media during COVID-19. Despite announcements of the return of many professional women’s leagues and the huge anticipation in the lead up to the 2023 Women’s World Cup bid outcome this week, we’ve not seen the numbers increase.
You can see here, with almost three months of data, we’re not seeing the upward trajectory we were hoping for after sport stopped, and slowly made its return.
To see how the numbers stack up across the globe, Lindsay Gibbs has done her own research to give us a look at the state of play in the US in her newsletter Power Plays.
Ali Bowers also writes for The Conversation on what coverage in the UK is looking like.
Beth Mooney on cricket in COVID-19 and beyond
By Kasey Symons
Image: Cricket Australia
“I actually think something like that will take years to sink in.”
Kasey spoke to Beth Mooney, 2020 T20 World Cup player of the Tournament and record breaking batter about that final, what cricket format she’d like to see more of and what cricket will look like post-COVID.
What you need to know about the Women’s World Cup announcement
By Gemma Bastiani
In just a few days the host country of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be announced and just Australia/New Zealand and Colombia remain. We’ve recapped the bid, and have details on how to stream the announcement.
The right to shorts
By Kasey Symons
In the fight for gender equity and equality across all facets of sport, it can be really disheartening to find another aspect of the fight that also needs attention. But where there are fights, there are people fighting them.
Halftime Huddle
This week, Sarah and Taylor spoke to the co-founders of Zena, Donna Johnson and Dr Brooke Brisbine about breast injury and breast trauma in sport.
Zena have launched the most advanced female impact protection garment which is designed for all contact sports.
Halftime Huddle is now available on iTunes, make sure you like and subscribe to stay up to date with all their episodes as they drop!
It’s official. Women are on top.
Hear more about this research on how our women’s teams are winning our hearts in the latest Sunday Session with Shannon Bryne.You can also download the report here.
Congratulations to Kim Clavel for being the recipient of the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPYS yesterday for her determination in the boxing ring and service on the frontline as a nurse in Canada during the coronavirus pandemic.
We’re still so excited by the news this week that Ellie Carpenter has signed with OL Féminin! Huge!
One of our Siren favourites, Alana Thomas was recently profiled on The Rugby World Cup website.
If for some reason you haven’t listened to the latest episode of The Outer Sanctum podcast, what are you waiting for, it’s absolute fire.
The NWSL is slated to go ahead this weekend but there is still a bit of fear surrounding the Challenge Cup tournament going ahead during COVID-19. We know superstar Megan Rapinoe has already opted out of the tournament along with other stars of the game, Carli Lloyd being the latest to add her name to that list as well as The Orlando Pride just announcing that the team have pulled out due to a number of positive coronavirus tests among the club's players and staff.
The LPGA Tour will return on the 31st of July with back-to-back events in Northwest Ohio. The Rose Ladies Series will also become the first pro women’s tournament to be hosted on Wentworth's West Course.
Women Sport Australia have announced the 2020 Finalists for the Women in Sport Photo Action Awards and this year you can also vote for your favourite image in the People's Choice Award so get voting!
Suncorp Super Netball has announced their payment arrangement for players.
And Sue Bird and Megan Rapinoe did a wonderful job hosting the ESPYS alongside Russell Wilson and we were so excited to see them throw their support behind She Her, a campaign that is also very close to our hearts.
She Her’s mission is to accurately portray all women and girls in the media so they see themselves as they truly are.
Hell. Yes.
The powerful message that opened the ESPYS yesterday is something we all need to remember. Let’s never go back.
Runner up
Right??