TAKING TO THE FIELD: INSIGHTS INTO THE EXPERIENCES OF ELITE FEMALE CRICKETERS PLAYING A PREDOMINANTLY MALE SPORT

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Author
Crofts, Laura
Date
2014Type
Thesis
Publisher
Cardiff Metropolitan University
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Show full item recordAbstract
In 2013 Duncan noted that "women have been kept beyond the boundary" for too long and
that "[N]ot enough has been written about women’s cricket" (p.1). Existing literature has
focused on the technical and tactical aspects of men’s cricket, injury prevention and the
impact of globalisation and commercialisation on the game (Bartlett et al, 1996; 2000;
Stuelcken et al, 2005; Wagg, 2005; Wormgoor et al, 2010; Portus et al, 2011;
Worthingtona et al, 2013; Spratford and Hicks, 2014). Within the existing, limited, body of
literature on women’s cricket (Burroughs et al, 1995; Mani, 2009; Velija, 2008; Velija and
Malcolm, 2009; Velija, 2011, 2012; Duncan, 2013 ECB, 2013) there’s a scarcity of
sociological analysis of women’s experiences in the UK, particularly women playing at an
elite level. In an attempt to address this gap in the literature, this study examines the
experiences of top-level female cricketers. Drawing on semi-structured interviews of four
female players, this study discussed the presence and impact of negative ideologies and
stereotypes despite the apparent acceptance of women in cricket. The findings suggest
that women’s cricket has come along way in challenging the dominant perceptions and
exclusion of women from the game. Nonetheless, these women highlight a number of
concerns. Firstly, these women have all experience some level of hostility regarding their
participation within the sport. Secondly, they still feel that they had to prove they were
good enough to be competing on the same level as men and "earn respect" as a player.
Finally, they found that their 'acceptance' into the sport was policed by existing male
perceptions of playing ability. While acknowledging how far the women’s game has come,
these finding highlight how there are still incident of negative ideologies, stereotypes and
concerns about femininity that are limiting the women’s game. Female cricketers are
continuing to challenge these but more research into the perceptions and experiences of
female cricketers would be beneficial for greater understanding of their success around the
UK.
Description
DEGREE OF BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (HONOURS)
SPORT AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
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