As a man in rowing, it’s easy to be oblivious to the struggles female athletes face. Passing comments can be dismissed as harmless or even flattering; fewer opportunities for women can be excused as being the result of smaller squads; and the huge progress that’s been made towards female empowerment can mask the deep inequalities which persist.
Not often do male athletes talk about the challenges women face in sport. Whether from ignorance or cowardice, it’s not ok for men to passively sit by. Accepting that there are issues and trying to understand the perspective of female athletes are the first steps.
As a rower, I’ve seen first-hand some of the difficulties women face in the sport. Take erg scores, for instance. Not that long ago at the British Indoor Championships, members of my club and I looked at the results. When Phil Clapp won the men’s open 500m, the response was “wow that’s huge”. But when Vár Guriardóttir Hansen won the women’s open 500m, the response was “wow, that’s impressive for a woman”.
While the intent may not seem malicious, the truth is you’re saying “that is impressive for you but in reality it’s not impressive to me”.
And, of course, as a male onlooker, I can only partially understand how demeaning it is for a woman to hear, lacking the years of persistent discrimination women have faced.
As a coach, I have seen how the women’s side are treated as lesser than men. Funding is weighted towards the men first; the men get the better coaches; and the men get the better time slots for training. Results can feel less, achievements are not worth as much, and opportunities are fewer. Most disguise it under the premise that “the women’s side have a smaller squad” but it doesn’t excuse what they don’t get offered. And when women’s squads do outgrow the men’s squads, nothing changes. The inequality is very clear.
I’ve been fortunate enough to coach some women who really inspire me, and none more so than those on the committee for Henley Women’s Regatta. Their work and dedication towards building opportunities for women is next level. We’ve all heard the “where’s Henley men’s regatta?” comment before. But this always misses the point. Henley Women’s is about connecting and supporting female rowers across the globe, providing a world-class event which celebrates the strength of female athletes.
Of course, rowing has made great strides towards equality between men’s and women’s rowing. Henley Royal Regatta is adding more women’s events and the Olympics has the same men’s and women’s events. But there’s still work to be done. We should be working towards a point where it’s not men’s and women’s rowing, but just rowing. When someone says the GB coxless four, you shouldn’t automatically think of the men’s crew, but think of both crews as equals.
As I’ve said before, as a man, I can never fully understand the persistent degradation, discrimination, and micro-aggressions female athletes face. But the first step is to listen. To listen to our female colleagues, to change our behaviours, to learn more.
The rowing world is heading in the right direction but it needs the strength of the entire rowing world.
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