WOMEN in sport have some amazing role models, not just here in Scotland but throughout the world. This may have something to do with most of them having to challenge prejudice and face adversity at some point in their career, while continuing to fight the battle for equality.
At the top of the global list must be Billie Jean King, not just for her successes on court but her campaigning work for equality and civil rights. One tournament in particular, I believe, has a favourite spot in her heart – the Fed Cup. King is a 10-time winner and a global ambassador. Last week it was announced the tournament will be renamed the Billie Jean King Cup, in a move to “secure her legacy” and create a “stronger global identify”.
It led me to think about how we recognise our female sporting role models in Scotland and ask – do we have to wait till they are in the twilight of their years, before we do so?
The Scottish FA has renamed its regional football centres for young girls after a national women’s squad player, who preferably comes from nearly. This helps promote the players and gives young participants a closer connection to a player they might to aspire to be like.
As always, there is debate around this practice as a lot of sponsorship is sold for its naming rights. However, I believe that in women’s sport there could be a collective way round this for the benefit of all.
Let’s look at what we have at our disposal in Scotland – Judy Murray; Belle Robertson and Catriona Matthew in golf; Erin Cuthbert, Rachel Corsie in football; Lisa Aitken, Georgia Adderley in squash; and Jemma Reekie and Laura Muir in athletics. The list is endless and the pool deep – we are extremely lucky in Scotland.
But in most cases the kind of accolade awarded to King comes when your career has long gone and when many people have forgotten about the athlete and the struggles experienced as well as the success achieved.
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