Lucy Bronze, an influential figure in women's football, recently highlighted the pressing safety concerns facing female athletes today. These concerns have been brought to the forefront following a series of incidents that have shaken the sports world. From the conviction of former Spanish football federation president Luis Rubiales for sexual assault to the racially and misogynistically charged abuse directed at Manchester City striker Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw, the challenges are significant and troubling. Bronze emphasized that women athletes are acutely aware of these dangers and are determined to address them.
The difficulties faced by these athletes have not gone unnoticed. Bronze acknowledged the challenging experiences that players have endured, especially given their prominence on the world stage. She mentioned the immense pressure and scrutiny that come with performing at the highest levels, which unfortunately also attract negative attention.
"It's been incredible that the players have had to go through that. Not only winning the World Cup and the media outside of it but they are in the court case and they are speaking out." – Lucy Bronze
The governing bodies, such as The Football Association (FA), strive to protect female athletes from abuse, whether it occurs online or in person. However, as Bronze pointed out, the "pitfalls" of popularity have introduced new security concerns for high-profile female athletes. Despite these challenges, Bronze remains steadfast in her desire for women in sports to feel "safe."
The recent withdrawal of Khadija 'Bunny' Shaw from her team's League Cup semi-final underscored the urgent need for addressing these issues. Her decision followed a wave of racist and misogynistic abuse, shining a light on the hostile environments female athletes sometimes face. Similarly, Emma Raducanu was left in tears after a man displayed fixated behavior during her match, leading to a restraining order against him.
Bronze's teammate, Millie Bright, has also been a target of abuse at recent games. These incidents have prompted members of the England team to use their platforms to raise awareness about such issues within women's sports.
"It's something that we stand for in women's sport especially. When you watch another player do it, it gives you a little bit of something as well – that you can stand up for yourself or that people are hearing us." – Lucy Bronze
England Head Coach Sarina Wiegman has expressed pride in her players for their courage in speaking out on these matters.
"It shows a lot about the togetherness, that you're not alone and sharing these experiences within the team, but also the wider world, you can see that people can resonate to it." – Sarina Wiegman
Bronze's experiences playing in various countries have made her particularly aware of safety concerns, especially as she often lived independently. The England team has responded by implementing changes within their federation to bolster player safety and support.
"That's something that's really special about women's sport in general. We all have each other's backs, we all try to empower each other. Sadly there is that negative side, but the fact that we're trying to make change, we want the world to be a better place, the sports that we play to be better places." – Lucy Bronze
The incidents involving Emma Raducanu and Millie Bright have intensified the spotlight on the safety of female athletes. Raducanu's resolve following her distressing experience was evident as she continued to compete despite the emotional turmoil.
"Difficult experience yesterday but I'll be OK and proud of how I came back and competed despite what happened at the start of the match." – Emma Raducanu
Bronze and Bright have taken steps to ensure these issues receive the attention they deserve. By leveraging their influence, they aim to create a safer environment for future generations of athletes.
"We want to be safe and we want to bring joy and excitement. So to use our platforms to try and push those things forward, make change for the better for all the little girls and boys, that's something that we hold really dear to our hearts and the reason why we do stand up and speak out." – Lucy Bronze
Leave a Reply