female sports would benefit with equitable fan representation

By: AJ Eyre

​During Glenelg’s varsity football games, it is common to see bleachers full to the point where fans pack the stands shoulder to shoulder.

A similar scene plays out at our boy’s basketball games.

While increased fan attendance for the traditional “popular” sports in our culture is nothing new, it is unfortunate that the same can still be applied to male sports receiving more attention than female sports. 

There is little argument that increased attendance for high school games impacts the play of the students and can change the way the game is played. Having more fans provides support and makes them perform to the best of their ability.

As a Field Hockey player, a bigger fan base certainly helps create a better, more positive atmosphere and attitude for the team. I am competitive regardless, but it is much more exciting playing in front of a crowd. It creates pressure, but good pressure, to perform well in front of peers and family. 

But it seems the only way female sports get fans (parents and students) to attend is if the team is playoff bound. 

To benefit female and male high school sports, we should better promote sports and announce to the school's student body that the bigger the fan bases are, the more beneficial the school's record could become. We should better promote the equality of sports attendance so each sport has an equitable amount of support and recognition.

High school sports are our years to remember; however, playing the sport itself isn’t the only exciting thing to remember. Cheering on friends and dressing up for fun events to support and contribute to the school's culture is something to remember. 

And at Glenelg, students and fans showing up and supporting sporting events equitably is something we should all remember.

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