Beyond the Court:
A volleyball player’s perspective on the gender disparity in athletics
As Breckyn Bahr grew older and started to compete at higher levels, she noticed a stark difference in the support, resources, and recognition afforded to women’s sports.
By Brooke Palin
Breckyn Bahr grew up playing female dominated sports (gymnastics and volleyball) and didn’t find she was directly impacted by her gender in sport, but as she reached high school, she continually noticed the gap between men’s and women’s sports at a higher level.
The 17-year-old libero currently plays for the Cougars Volleyball Club in Calgary and explains that volleyball is her escape from reality and that overall, women’s volleyball in Canada is a supportive community. However, she believes women have to fight to prove themselves within their sport.
“I think women consistently have to justify the significance of their sport or their level of ability. Women's sports are often degraded for their lacklustre athletic ability and having the pace of play being too slow, or non-existent.”
Bahr goes on to explain she sees these differences within her own high school volleyball games. Although there are lots of fans that attend her games, she still sees that men’s volleyball games are always better attended than hers.
“Men’s and women’s volleyball are very different in the fact that men’s is a game of offense, who can hit the hardest and put it to the ground, whereas women’s is a game of defense, who can make the better reads and dig a ball in a tough spot. There are obviously people who prefer one over the other but even just in conversation with my friends it is always about the fact that men’s volleyball is so much more fun to watch, and the unfortunate thing is, I don’t think that mindset will ever go away.”
Currently in high school, Bahr has ambitions of pursuing volleyball at the collegiate level.
PHOTO COURTESY: Breckyn Bahr
This is one of many reasons why Bahr believes the women’s and men’s sports will never reach an equilibrium.
“I don’t think there will ever be an even amount of fans at a men’s game versus a women’s game. The pay gap will never be fully closed, and the media coverage will never be the same.”
Bahr’s family subscribes to multiple sports channels on their home TV, however she has come to realize that the media coverage is lacking for women’s sports.
“Media coverage on women’s sports is so minimal to the point where unless you are searching for a women’s sport, you’re probably not just going to stumble across it. You can always find men's hockey, basketball, baseball, football, etc... during their seasons, but I don’t think I’ve ever been scrolling through the channels and a WNBA game pops up.”
Recently, National Girls and Women in Sports Day, which is held on Feb. 7, has gained more attention and prominence. Bahr says that she believes the recognition has grown over the last few years and although it's a step in the right direction, it may not be enough.
“Unfortunately, it seems as though there are some platforms that only celebrate women in sports on that day. It should be an everyday thing just like the men.”
A highlight video of Bahr. She is the libero, wearing number 2. VIDEO COURTESY: Breckyn Bahr
