🏀 History on the hardwood
To start things off, let’s go back to the 19th century. The first women’s college basketball game took place in 1893 organized by Senda “the Mother of Women’s Basketball” Berenson at Smith College in Western Massachusetts. The game was between freshmen and sophomores.
Berenson had learned about the new game, created by Dr. James Naismith less than two years earlier, and decided to introduce it at the women’s college. The game was a success, with 800 female students in attendance (men were not allowed). The sophomores emerged victorious with a score of 5-4, showcasing the potential of investing in women’s sports.
Berenson’s idea spread across the country, leading to the first women’s intercollegiate game in 1896, where Stanford defeated the University of California Berkeley 2-1. Berenson’s rules were later published in 1901 as a women’s basketball guide, and she dedicated much of her life to promoting the game.
🏃♀️ Who run the world?
Women have a long history of striving for equality in running, dating back to the 19th century. Despite being excluded from the 1896 Summer Olympics, Greek runner Stamata Revithi ran the marathon course the day after the men’s race, though she was not allowed to officially finish in the Olympic stadium.
Revithi’s determination and achievement, where she reportedly took a break to buy oranges during the race, are remembered as a crucial moment in running history. It would take 88 more years for women to be permitted to compete in the Olympic marathon, with Joan Benoit Samuelson becoming the first woman to win gold at the 1984 LA Games.Samuelson’s historic accomplishment was made possible by the collaboration of many women, including Kathrine Switzer, who organized women’s races to campaign for the inclusion of the women’s Olympic marathon despite facing restrictions on female participation in road races in the past.
⚽️ Power on the pitch
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In 1991, FIFA finally approved the first Women’s World Cup, 61 years after the men’s inaugural World Cup. The delay was primarily due to systemic sexism and bans on women’s soccer in many countries.
Despite these challenges, Ellen Wille from Norway advocated for a women’s World Cup in front of the FIFA Congress in 1986, leading to the establishment of the tournament. The first WWC, held in China in 1991, faced controversy and differences from the men’s World Cup, including shorter match times.The USWNT made history by winning the first WWC, laying the foundation for future success culminating in the iconic ’99ers squad that captured the hearts of fans worldwide.
📈 The present day
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From the 19th century to the ’99ers, significant milestones have marked women’s sports history. Let’s now focus on the current groundbreaking achievements in women’s sports.
🏒 PWHL: In its inaugural season, the PWHL has shattered attendance records for women’s pro hockey games, demonstrating the growing interest and support for the sport.
🏀 College basketball: Iowa women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark is on the verge of breaking the all-time NCAA scoring record in today’s game, highlighting the increasing popularity and viewership of women’s college basketball.
🏐 Volleyball: With the establishment of multiple professional volleyball leagues in North America, including the upcoming League One Volleyball, women’s volleyball is flourishing with record-breaking attendance and participation levels.
⚽ Soccer: The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup showcased memorable moments and record-breaking crowds, emphasizing the rising demand and appreciation for women’s soccer highlighted by the recent groundbreaking media rights deal for the NWSL.
