Sagesse Kosche, Reporter
Graphic created by Sagesse Kosche
Women’s March Madness has been receiving record breaking viewership and attention this year. With the Final Four coming soon, attention will only increase.
But Women’s March Madness isn’t the only women’s sports have been gathering an increased number of fans and watch time over the past several years. Many other sports have seen a large increase in viewership. Part of this increasing fan base and recognition is due to amazing players that have been able to reach all kinds of people and garner support and excitement. Not just for their performances on the playing field, but also for the way they inspire the youth and their dedication to their sports.
NCHS volleyball coach, Amy Andrews, having coached young kids for years knows the importance of role models in a young person’s life. “These women do a great job of demonstrating and modeling how being dedicated to something and working hard can pay off”.
Ms. Andrews mentioned that when women see professional female athletes on television or in person it evokes a special feeling that is specific to sports. “When younger girls and other women see somebody being successful at it, I think it brings positive women’s empowerment”. Seeing these women in a competitive atmosphere is so important to keeping girls confident and participating in sports.
Sports are such an essential part of so many girls’ lives, especially in New Canaan. Kristin Woods, Gym Teacher and Girls Lacrosse coach at NCHS, talked about the importance of keeping girls in sports. “Sports help with working with perseverance, working with people that you might not necessarily be best friends with. Sports are building confidence in something that kids will pursue later in life,” Ms. Woods said.
Gym Teacher and Girls Basketball coach Kim Palmer, spoke on the impact of seeing women up on the big screens. “Girls feel like there’s something they can strive for, and that they can get to that next level because they see young women doing it,” she said.
In a Wasserman study done in 2023, researchers found that female athletes drive twice the amount of attention to their social media platforms as male athletes. Ms. Palmer mentioned the influence of having such an easy look into the lives of some D1 or professional athletes. “Access is to sports is easier now for young people, through social media platforms. These platforms helps to create motivation for young girls to stay in sports,” Ms. Palmer said.
Ms. Palmer also follows the NCAA March Madness brackets and games every March. Upsets and bracket busters are some things that define the Women’s March Madness. “The players are so good that it doesn’t matter if they’re ranked number one or ranked number 10, you know it’s gonna be a good game. The teams are just so fundamentally sound,” Ms. Palmer said.
When asked about her favorite aspects of the women’s game Ms. Palmer reminds us of how equal the men’s and women’s games are. “It’s exciting to watch and it’s competitive. It’s so competitive. It’s equivalent to watching the men play,” Ms. Palmer said.
Ms. Palmer said that in past years, the NCAA tournament has become increasingly competitive. “No one knows who’s winning it because the level of play has risen throughout the division one teams,” she said. Each of the teams have grown not only from being in the sport longer, but also the fact that they are receiving more money and attention.
Star athletes are another reason that women’s basketball and other women’s sports have taken a rise over the years. “Caitlin Clark, Paige Bueckers, Angel Reese and Sabrina Ionescu, are all players that have elevated the game,” Ms. Palmer said.
Ms. Palmer shared what some of her favorite players and elements to watch during the NCAA Tournament are. “It’s really the teams I love watching. I love watching UConn, LSU and South Carolina play. For me personally, I like to look at the coaches because I coach and I like to see what their style of coaching is,” she said.
Ms. Palmer also spoke on the increase of attention. “I think more people, not just women, are watching women’s sports at this point. I think it’s always going to be a process, but I think we’re getting closer and closer every year,” she said.
Ms. Andrews also shared her feelings on the growing attention to women’s sports and where she hoped they would move in the future. She said that she felt like, “a lot of people used to not care as much about women’s sports, but I love the fact that women around the world have continued to push past that and still work hard,” she said.
