ENCOURAGING GRASSROOTS PARTICIPATION AMONG ALL WOMEN
Having run and swam primarily for enjoyment during school and university, I started to take things a little more seriously after I moved to London and started working as a civil servant for Defra.
As I ran more, my passion for running grew.
In 2002 I entered the London Marathon – inspired by watching the marathon on television as a child and young adult as well as by a friend who had completed the event the year before (having been born with a heart defect). In order to prepare for this new challenge, educate myself about run training, and make friends I decided to join a number of running groups and clubs. They very welcoming to newcomers, gave members a choice about the intensity of sessions and always provided an opportunity to socialise afterwards.
I was fortunate that Defra’s offices had showers and changing facilities, so I could commute to work on my bike. The civil service also provided subsidised gym membership and a number of other programmes to encourage staff’s physical activity.
At this point I really started to appreciate the financial barriers facing many people and families with a desire to be active. The price of private gym membership was well beyond my means, and although I could afford the local authority swimming pool I realised that the price of entry to leisure centres could be unfeasible for many (especially those paying a high ‘drop in’ fee, for classes such as yoga, and parents with several children). Friends with children also bemoaned the lack of adequate childcare/crèche facilities in public leisure centers, which provided a stumbling block to their own participation in sport.
As my ability and confidence grew further, I joined a more serious running group, under the auspices of the hugely passionate, motivated and experienced coach, the late Frank Horwill. I attended structured training sessions three times per week at Battersea Track, and also ran on my own on other days. As with most clubs, Frank and the other volunteers gave up their time and skills for no remuneration and I can’t emphasise enough how reliant British sport is on the goodwill of talented, selfless individuals like Frank.
A friend invited me to attend a BRAT (Birmingham Running and Triathlon) Club swimming session in 2004 which, like the running clubs I had joined in London, was incredibly welcoming and managed solely by passionate volunteers. It was at that session that someone persuaded me to try a triathlon, and offered to assist me. This mentoring support for people thinking of taking up a sport is crucial. Since becoming World Ironman Champion I have been closely involved in the setting up and growth of an organisation called GOTRIbal. Gotribal’s aim is simple: to connect women who share a passion for living healthy lifestyles, providing emotional, practical and financial (scholarship) support to women regardless of background or ability who wish to become involved in sport. Mutual support, encouragement, information sharing and a ‘pay it forward’ system are the key components built through the website and groups on the ground in cities and towns. It builds on the community notion of a ‘tribe’ emphasizing the social, fun and friendship aspects of sport. I use this example to emphasise the importance of sports clubs/groups in providing a supportive cocoon of encouragement and advice, particularly to first-timers.
As a first-time triathlete I was attracted to the new challenge, the social ‘club’ aspect, the chance to give more structure to my fitness regime and also the opportunity for competition. I also believe I needed an outlet for my drive, determination, obsessive compulsive and competitive nature that I had previously channelled into my academic studies. I bought a second hand bike and borrowed a wetsuit. Triathlon can be a relatively expensive sport, due to the equipment, travel and entry fees, although borrowing equipment, choosing less expensive races and ‘car pooling’ can make it more affordable.
In mid 2004 I decided to take a sabbatical to live and work in Nepal. Once there I bought a second hand mountain bike and cycled every day. I didn’t do any structured training as such, but simply enjoyed the opportunity to meet the local people, challenge myself physically, see some of the countryside and enjoy sport at its ‘rawest’.
I returned to the UK, entered a few triathlons and managed to qualify for the World Amateur Championships (at the amateur level) whilst working full time. I was training for approx. three to four hours a day, under the guidance of a personal coach, who kindly agreed to assist me for a nominal fee. I won the amateur World Triathlon Championships in September 2006, and in February 2007 made the decision to become a full time triathlete.
My thoughts and ideas regarding elite level sport can be found in a separate paper, at the following link.
Conclusion
My personal experiences, supplemented by reading and research, have enabled me to identify some of the barriers to participation (practical, financial, psychosocial and institutional) experienced by women and girls, as well as possible solutions. My thoughts/ideas are obviously not exhaustive and I do not, nor cannot, claim to speak for all women or stakeholders. That is precisely why forums like the APPG are so important; providing a channel for active discussion and debate amongst a range of different organisations and people. A tabulated summary of some of the key barriers and solutions has been posted in a separate paper, and can be found at the following link.
Triathlon and endurance sports, like running – example of best practice
Triathlon (especially the shorter distances) offers a good example of gender equality at the amateur and professional level (although admittedly it is characterised by a narrow demographic, in terms of ethnic background and income). Women race on same day, over same course, as men; at the professional level the prize purse is the same for men and women; opportunities for sponsorship and media coverage are, in my view, equal between the sexes, and he ratio of men to women (at the shorter races and within triathlon clubs) is becoming increasingly even. What are the possible reasons for this?
- Triathlon is a relatively new sport, but from its genesis women have participated with men at the pro and amateur level
- The amateurs race with the professionals. Hence the male and female amateurs see pro women competing, and can be inspired by our performance.
- Women sit on the various national and international federations and boards - eg The Vice President of the ITU is a woman.
- Editors and journalists for a number of triathlon publications and websites are women
- At the grassroots level in the UK, the 600 or so triathlon clubs welcome women, and offer a cocoon of support and encouragement.
- Snowball effect – as more women take up the sport, so they inspire (especially through word of mouth) their peers to participate.
- Online support is extensive – eg websites and forums offer advice, information for men and women (including some female-specific websites).
- Charity element is important part of triathlon: increasing participation by those motivated by philanthropic causes
- There are a wide variety of races (local and low profile to the bigger, national and international events) - offering something for everyone. The smaller races are often specifically tailored to newcomers, and are less focused on the competitive angle and more on fun. Pool based swims and closed/traffic free roads attract those who are more nervous about open water/traffic etc. Relays also offer the opportunity for women to become involved without the pressure to complete all three disciplines.
- There are an increasing number of women only events: which offer less intimidating environment (although consideration should be given to why women may find mixed races intimidating and hence address this)
- Events and clubs are welcoming to families, and often provide opportunities for children to take part (at races children help at aid stations, or clubs offer coaching for kids while the parents also train).
- Triathlon clubs and races have managed to tailor themselves to appeal to the different motivational triggers: challenge, competition, philanthropy, friendship, healthy lifestyles.
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