Agenda item

In accordance with the Notice of Motion received under Section 4.20 of the Constitution, Councillor Judith Humphreys will propose as follows:-

 

“The Council calls on Welsh Government, Westminster Government and the relevant organisations to commit to:

 

·         professionalise women’s sport so that women have the same opportunities and pay as men.

·         ensure that women are represented on sports bodies at all levels.

·         ensure facilities suitable for women’s sport particularly football and rugby.

·         that women’s sport is given coverage equal to that of men’s sport in the media and Press.”

 

 

That the Council calls on Welsh Government, Westminster Government and the relevant organisations to commit to:

 

- professionalise women's sport so that women have the same opportunities and pay as men.

- ensure that women are represented on sports bodies at all levels.

- ensure facilities suitable for women's sport particularly football and rugby.

- that women's sport is given coverage equal to that of men's sport in the media and Press.

 

 

(A)      Submitted - the following notice of motion by Councillor Judith Humphreys, in accordance with Section 4.20 of the Constitution, and it was seconded:-

"That the Council calls on Welsh Government, Westminster Government and the relevant organisations to commit to:

 

- professionalise women's sport so that women have the same opportunities and pay as men.

- ensure that women are represented on sports bodies at all levels.

- ensure facilities suitable for women's sport particularly football and rugby.

- that women's sport is given coverage equal to that of men's sport in the media and Press."

 

The member set out the context to her motion, noting that:

 

·         That fewer women than men took part in sports, and that women were more likely to not continue with sports after they started.

·         According to the "Women's Sports Foundation" established by Billie Jean King, the main reason for having equal opportunities in sports was in order for women to also receive the important benefits obtained by participating in sports - i.e. the psychological, physiological and social benefits.

·         That this was a matter that merited serious attention from public health officers, sports leaders, educators and our politicians.

·         Historically, that women did not have the right to participate in sports, but that the sporting culture in our society to date was more male-orientated than female-orientated, with greater status given to male sports, because male sports received much more investment and it was much more obvious and visible in the media.

·         According to the "Women's and Sports Fitness Foundation", that commercial investment, and the attention that women's sports received in the media, were intertwined.

·         In order to increase women's participation in sports, women needed to see inspiring role models in the media, and receive the encouragement that men received.

·         Although S4C was to be praised for the attention they gave women's sports on the whole; women were much less visible in the media and the Press than men.

·         In 2018, a report on the visibility of women's sports in the media across European countries was published.  Five countries were under the spotlight, and the results of the report showed that the proportion of women's sports broadcasting did not raise above 10% in any of the five countries.  Around 7% was the percentage for broadcasting women's sport in Britain!

·         Also, unfortunately, when women received attention, the focus could be on what they wore, instead of their athletic conquests.

·         That there was very little commercial investment in women's sports.  This means that women's pay is less, as well as less opportunity to have quality coaches and facilities.

·         Considering the lack of attention, the type of attention, the lack of promotion and investment, it was no surprise that women had less motivation to participate.

·         That it was no surprise that women were worried about being criticised, worried that they were not good enough, and that many women pulled out of sports when they were teenagers.

·         As a result, women lost out on the benefits to their health and self-confidence - the physical and mental benefits, and participation in sports could also improve academic results.  Also, it was important to consider that a significant percentage of women aged over 50 suffered from osteoporosis, and physical exercise was essential to sustain bone density.

 

Members expressed support to the proposal and noted:-

 

·         That it would be good to see someone from the sporting world coming forward as a champion to the proposal.

·         That the inequality between men and women was so prominent in many fields, and that the proposer had encompassed the reasons for that really well.

·         That there were pay inequalities in men's football as well, with the stars earning millions and those at the bottom of the league almost starving.

·         That there was a need to change the culture for the psychological, physical and social benefit of all, not just women, and that this was such a timely proposal after Covid.

·         That it was believed that Welsh Government saw the value in this, and that there were some quite simple things that they could do to lead the way.

 

RESOLVED to adopt the motion, namely:-

 

"That the Council calls on Welsh Government, Westminster Government and the relevant organisations to commit to:

 

- professionalise women's sport so that women have the same opportunities and pay as men.

- ensure that women are represented on sports bodies at all levels.

- ensure facilities suitable for women's sport particularly football and rugby.

- that women's sport is given coverage equal to that of men's sport in the media and Press."