- By Catriona Aitken
- ` News
3 hours ago
image source, Rachel Saabor
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Laura Morgan says roller derby took her from no training at all to feeling “fierce and strong.”
From a lack of self-confidence to fear of injury, exercising can be difficult for some women.
A survey by Sport Wales in August found that men are more likely than women to think regular exercise is important and have the confidence to be physically active.
But why? And how can lesser-known sports help break down barriers?
A roller derby player said the exciting sport piqued her interest and changed her life.
Laura Morgan of the Tiger Bay Brawlers women’s roller derby club in Cardiff – a full-contact sport played on roller skates – said she fell in love with the sport after being invited to watch a game by a colleague about a decade ago to watch.
“I never really trained, [but] After that, I started getting a little fitter,” she said.
The 36-year-old from Newport said confidence was the biggest barrier to activity for many women.
“Many of our skaters, when they come to us, can’t imagine doing a sport that they think is wild and strong.”
Liz Ayres, 32, works at Boulders climbing center in Cardiff and only started climbing when she took the job.
“There’s nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about because you don’t have confidence. It takes a lot of courage to just walk through the door of a climbing center,” she said.
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According to Liz Ayres, getting through the door of a climbing center can be the biggest hurdle for some women
Meanwhile, Alix Lancaster, women’s coach at Rhondda Dragons dodgeball club in Pontypridd, said being at the forefront of setting up a lesser-known sports club could help the women with their confidence issues.
“Not only are you removing the barriers for other women because it’s a woman who started this club, but there are no barriers because the men aren’t coming in and bulldozing,” she said.
Shanti Bihet, the youngest player on the dodgeball team, added: “At first I didn’t really talk and was afraid to throw a ball. Now I’m just going to throw it at her and try really hard.”
The 17-year-old said social stigma originally put her off.
“When I played sports at school, there was also a negative side. I was bullied or people asked why I played sports,” she said.
image source, Rhondda kite
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Alix Lancaster hopes women taking the lead in introducing new sports into their communities will stop men from “bulldozing”.
Hannah Bayfield, who also plays for the Tiger Bay Brawlers, said there was a lot more general understanding when it came to men playing sports as opposed to women, adding: “It also comes down to visibility. If you don’t see women doing sports like that, why should you feel like you can?”
Laura said the club had struggled to find suitable places to train and play, adding: “We are one of the best teams in the UK, we are 13th in Europe. Something like that should be praised, but we can’t do that. Get the cover.
“Small steps are being taken, but it’s not enough.”
Liz said representation was also key to attracting women into climbing as climbing centers became more inclusive.
“Outgoing, friendly women wearing the Boulders uniform can make a big difference.
“There used to be a trend in climbing where you had to be strong and muscular, wear no shirt and swing around like Tarzan. That’s a thing of the past now.”
Alix, 27, said she felt privileged to have grown up playing the sport, but added: “Women aren’t usually raised to throw balls.”
“I think men might stick around more,” she said.
“On the other hand, if a woman comes along and thinks she’s not very good, and you don’t engage with that woman and don’t encourage her, they just won’t come back.”
Shanti added: “Without role models, I don’t think I would have had the confidence to join or stay.”
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Tiger Bay Brawlers are one of the UK’s top roller derby teams but are having to fight for space to train and play
The athletes agreed that the risk of injury and the perception of risk can also be an obstacle.
Laura, who previously broke her wrist while playing roller derby, said a teammate had to give up because of the risk of injury.
“She is a single mother of an autistic child with elderly parents – she knows that if she breaks an ankle or a wrist she will no longer be able to fulfill her caring responsibilities.”
“At work, if a guy who plays football comes to work with a broken foot, it’s like, ‘What a shame,’ but if I come to work in a cast, it’s like, ‘Oh, you shouldn’t play this dangerous sport operate’.”
Liz added that women have traditionally been pushed to pursue more sedentary hobbies.
“I think society tells us that women are too delicate and valuable for rough activities,” she said.
“From a young age, boys are taught to fall over, scrape their knee and keep going.”
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Climbing centers are beginning to break away from the previously largely masculine focus of the sport
Alix acknowledged that dodgeball could be daunting for some women.
“Some men throw balls at 60 miles per hour, some women throw balls at 50 miles per hour, and that’s pretty scary,” she said.
But despite the risk, the sense of community that smaller sports provide is an advantage in recruiting women.
“When I came home after college, I realized I didn’t really have many friends,” Laura said.
“I just worked, went home, worked, went home, and my life was pretty miserable and boring.”
Liz added that climbing is “truly a community.”
“That’s why I’m still here 10 years later,” she said.
“I think women need this group,” Alix added.
“Moving to a place where you don’t have many friends is a nice way to build friendships.”
image source, Rhondda kite
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Shanti Bihet says she wouldn’t have had the confidence to stick with dodgeball if she hadn’t received a warm welcome from other women
Shanti added: “Since dodgeball is a smaller sport compared to soccer and such, there is less stigma and negativity when women join a team.”
Hannah agreed that a big advantage of lesser-known sports is that they don’t seem as “impenetrable” to newcomers.
The 38-year-old said: “It has that high octane rating [quality] that’s what makes it fascinating.
“But I think, first and foremost, it’s about this diversity. I feel much more comfortable in a space that is so open and inclusive.”
image source, Rachel Saabor
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Hannah Bayfield says taking part in roller derby completely changed her life
While all five women recognized the physical benefits, they also agreed they praised the mental health aspects.
Hannah continued: “Doing something that makes you realize you can be strong has had a strong side effect on mental toughness.”
“As nervous as you may be about trying something, it’s worth it.
“The worst thing that happens is that you don’t really cope with it, and the best thing is that ten years later it’s completely life-changing.”
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