An interesting article appeared today about how to achieve a more level playing field in UK sport, and in particular whether we can learn from a US initiative called Title IX.
This was an amendment made to higher education law in the US back in 1972. Quite simply, it said that when it came to funding and participation no universities could discriminate between sports based on sex. Actually (needless to say) its a bit more complex than that in practice, and controversial, but it is widely believed to be the reason why female sports participation has grown by up to nine times since 1972, and why female US athletes won more medals in this years Olympics than men.
The question is whether we need something similar over here. Obviously the US is a very different place - university sport is hugely important over there, whereas in this country to say that "no-one cares" would be a gross understatement - primary school sport probably gets more interest and coverage.
So, while a Title IX applying to university sport funding would be a nice thing, its pretty unlikely that it would have the sort of effect it has had in the US. However there are plenty of other sports bodies that are publicly funded which could be put under similar requirements - Sports Councils, for example, or individual sport clubs and governing bodies. So, if a club received a grant, it would have to comply with Title IX-type regulations.
The article asks for feedback as well, so what do you think?
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
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