IT’S a bit of a strange sensation as I read through my Twitter feed and feel a sense of optimism that things are changing, the hard work put in by so many is, I feel, definitely reaping some rewards.
There is even a case for believing that the gender balance in a lot of areas of sport is finally tipping to a more level position. In particular where the press and social media outlets are concerned I sense a change, as they are showcasing more and more stories about women in sport.
Let me stress however that we can’t take our foot off the gas. We must continue to work hard to ensure that the inequity that exists in sport diminishes on a daily basis – and that any dinosaurs that still exist quickly become extinct!
I have hope for the future, not just for sport but for society in general. This hope has sprung from a couple of focus groups that we held, just last week, in partnership with SAMH, the Scottish Association for Mental Health, as we engage with young women to work through our thoughts on the best way to deliver our proposed mentorship programme.
We need to clearly understand their needs, their hopes and their concerns and ensure our programme reflects all these findings. Our participants were just an amazing group of young women with a great sense of society and an overwhelming honesty about themselves and what is required from us to ensure a successful programme.
One of the other most positive pieces of news, from my point of view, is the great mix of reporters and presenters that the BBC has announced to cover Euro 2020, which is kicking off in just under a few weeks. With two Scotswomen named in the line-up, Eilidh Barbour and Shelley Kerr, I know that for both of them there is an enormous sense of pride and responsibility at their selection to this amazing role. I look forward to following them and the Scotland team at this historical and amazing time.
Alongside that there is the positive news about the return of international and domestic competition and a feeling of optimism is in the air. We have a lot of Scottish athletes looking to head to Tokyo, teams travelling abroad to kick-start 15 months of inactivity and local teams and clubs now meeting again on a regular basis. Long may it continue.
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Callum Baird, Editor of The National
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