Women are actively participating in sports from twentieth century. They break the gender stereotype and force the world to think in a different way. Now, near about 38% participants are women from all sports and this number is increasing over time. Sport promotes self-confidence, power of independence and teaches leadership to women but still less attention is given to this gender; they have less opportunities, investment, training and even less paid. It’s a long way to meet fully gender equality around the world.
In 1900, the very first time women participated in Olympic Games and only 22 women athletes took part in games. From here women sports start its journey and leagues were formed to promote their games. Horse riding, skating, golf, archery and tennis were got famous in women sport by the end of 19th century. International Olympics committee took step to promote gender equality and give opportunity to women athletes participate at games with same number of men athletes. For the very first time in the history, women participated in every game of Olympics 2012 held in London. Many policies are made to push gender equality and they have a vision to get full equality in 2030.
Currently women are participating in footballs, rugby, tennis, cricket, skating, golf, basketball, swimming, gymnastics and many more. There are some famous athletes around the world; Serena Williams a tennis star, Marta Veira a renowned name in women FIFA, Ronda Rousey a best player of judo and Danica Patrick a famous auto driver.
To promote women sports, many areas needed to be restructured such as increase women decision making in sports which can be achieved by changing the society behavior towards women empowerment. Different trainings, debates and media support can encourage women to be in sports. In Australia, a very famous league also gave chance to women to play; Australian football league. It was started in 2017 with eight teams. Western Bulldogs was the champions of last premiership. Emma Kearney is the best player so far.
AFL Women’s Season in 2019 would be its third season of football competition. As compared to last year there is addition of two new teams of Geelong and North Melbourne in next season and now total number of teams would be 10 of which all are associated with Australian Football League (AFL) clubs. Even after inclusion of new teams, format of league will not change and will have seven rounds of Home & Away. Two teams who finish the highest in each conference by the end of league in Home & Away season will be one to qualify for preliminary finals. Then the winners of that final will play in the AFL Women’s Grand Final. Season will be starting in first weekend of February 2019 and tournament will keep on entertaining its viewers till last week of March.