The Big Picture – An overview of the major issues facing women in sport today

Abstract

In this brief address, I shall attempt to give you an overview - admittedly my own selective overview - of some of the main issues facing sport for women across the globe today, and to tell you about some of the possibilities and problems which face us. I shall begin by examining how to understand where we are today and how different groups want different things for and from women’s sport. I will then look at some global developments and finally I shall describe what we might learn from best practice. I hope this will provide you with a context in which to position your own initiatives for women’s sport here in Northern Ireland. I also hope it will give you cause for both optimism and caution since the facts show that women’ sport has been, and will probably continue to be, characterised by both gains and losses.