IT was a first for me recently when I was invited to attend an event organised by St Andrew’s Sporting Club, which has a long tradition in delivering high-class boxing matches in Scotland.
It wasn’t just a first for me but for the club itself, which had chosen a women to be its guest of honour – and it couldn’t have agreed on a better person. Judy Murray, who I believe was attending her first boxing match, sat in pride of place at the top table along with the male guests. The inimitable Hugh Keevins was in charge of proceedings and on introducing Judy the reaction from the largely male crowd was extremely positive and welcoming.
I was at a table with three other women and six men and there were also several women dotted around at most tables. The organisation itself is looking to break down some of the old traditions and become much more forward-looking. As an event I enjoyed watching the three bouts and look forward to attending again in the future, hopefully when they have a couple of female fighters on the programme.
Meanwhile, an exciting announcement came from Rangers FC at their recent AGM when they confirmed that for the next season they would be tripling their investment into the women’s game. Now sceptics will say this depends on what the budget was in the first instance, and they would have a point. However, any public statement of intent that raises awareness of women in sport is welcomed and I believe this will be monitored by many to ensure it comes to fruition. Amy McDonald, who is currently in charge of the women’s academy, will be relishing this increase.
So things are looking a little bit rosy – that is, of course, as long as you are not Ada Hegerberg, who was named as the first female winner of the Ballon d’Or in Paris just last week. As a parting shot she was asked by the presenter DJ Martin Solveig if she could twerk. Definitely a lesson about putting your brain in gear before you let your mouth speak. The ensuing press tirade I am sure will be something he won’t forget in a hurry.
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