FEMALE, YOUNG & PRETTY FEMALE SPORTS TV PRESENTERS / COMMENTATORS

[oldius]

It‘s all about inclusion and representation and that can only be a good thing. The problem is that we are in an awkward transition phase where it hasn’t happened naturally, so too often you end up with a female presenter who very few people have ever hear of and who doesn’t seem qualified to be there, especially when they appear to have displaced an established household name.

You can’t blame them they’re only taking the opportunity they’ve been given, but nevertheless the contrivance is jarring.

Wind forward a few years and it will be the norm and more of the female presenters will be household names themselves because they have achieved noteworthy things in their sports, driven by greater opportunities and interest in the female side of various sports. None of us will give it a second thought then.

We‘ve just got to get through this awkward transition phase where the process has been deliberately and artificially accelerated.

I can't disagree with that though I do not find it awkward. This is the case with positive discrimination, where particular groups have been kept away from roles on account of gender, race or disability. The need to redress the balance is there, and anything that moves people like Richard Keys and Andy Gray, Hansen, Lawrenson, and others, is all good, for me.

 

[bencat]

It is right that we have a much greater spread of commentators and there are a number of the new faces that are appearing in all sports . Sadly having played a sport does not make you an ideal pundit or commentator Alan Shearer anyone ?
Though I disliked Gary Neville as a player his work as a pundit does show that he works at it and has had insights and new things to say (if he could only shut up about the Glazers things would be much improved) . Lara Woods and others are huge football fans and offer a decent level of knowledge in football and are as good if not better than the male equivalents . While people like Jermaine and other ex footballers continue to offer very little I would be very happy to see more and more varied people on the screen . This should not be a man,s world and we need to see the best of what is available and have pundits that add not detract from the experience .

 

[MVJ]

It is right that we have a much greater spread of commentators and there are a number of the new faces that are appearing in all sports . Sadly having played a sport does not make you an ideal pundit or commentator Alan Shearer anyone ?
Though I disliked Gary Neville as a player his work as a pundit does show that he works at it and has had insights and new things to say (if he could only shut up about the Glazers things would be much improved) . Lara Woods and others are huge football fans and offer a decent level of knowledge in football and are as good if not better than the male equivalents . While people like Jermaine and other ex footballers continue to offer very little I would be very happy to see more and more varied people on the screen . This should not be a man,s world and we need to see the best of what is available and have pundits that add not detract from the experience .

Great post Andrew have one of these mate

 

[DT79]

I can't disagree with that though I do not find it awkward. This is the case with positive discrimination, where particular groups have been kept away from roles on account of gender, race or disability. The need to redress the balance is there, and anything that moves people like Richard Keys and Andy Gray, Hansen, Lawrenson, and others, is all good, for me.

I certainly agree that not all of the established names are good commentators/pundits, and that applies to all sports.

Not sure about positive discrimination. Two wrongs make a right? It doesn’t sit well with me. Then again would we ever get to where we need to without it? It’s not an easy topic for sure.

 

[Baggawire]

 

[oldius]

I certainly agree that not all of the established names are good commentators/pundits, and that applies to all sports.

Not sure about positive discrimination. Two wrongs make a right? It doesn’t sit well with me. Then again would we ever get to where we need to without it? It’s not an easy topic for sure.

It has its place. We could certainly argue for it given the issues that have come to light in cricket, for example.

 

[audio_PHIL_e]

I have heard Stumps on BBC World Radio at night. Nice to hear female presenters that are into the sport and can engage cricketers in interesting conversation

edit my natural tendency would be to not listen to anything to do with sport, especially cricket, but tuning in to anything else is too much hassle

 

[MVJ]

I have heard Stumps on BBC World Radio at night. Nice to hear female presenters that are into the sport and can engage cricketers in interesting conversation

 

[savvypaul]

I like positive discrimination. When a group of people have been deliberately held back, why wouldn't you want to deliberately create opportunities for them to catch up?

I've found the new crop of female sports commentators to be articulate, intelligent and mercifully free of the need to stroke their own egos.

The sooner we see greater representation of the whole of society in politics, the boardroom, policing, and sport, the quicker the human race will evolve into something just a little more civilised, imo.

 

[TIU]

It's good to see so many female presenters. How they look is little to do with it but if it is, it's wrong. I once went to an interview for a job as a graphic designer. Upon arriving and waiting in their reception area, a woman employee said, 'well you don't look like a designer'. WTF? I should have walked away right then.

 

[Wenge1]

I like positive discrimination. When a group of people have been deliberately held back, why wouldn't you want to deliberately create opportunities for them to catch up?

I've found the new crop of female sports commentators to be articulate, intelligent and mercifully free of the need to stroke their own egos.

The sooner we see greater representation of the whole of society in politics, the boardroom, policing, and sport, the quicker the human race will evolve into something just a little more civilised, imo.

I agree for all the reasons you say. It should also pointed out that, IMHO, positive discrimination does not have to mean that inappropriately qualified people have to be given a job purely because of the sex they are. Do what it takes to find suitable people who also fulfil the criteria of belonging to the discriminated/under represented group.

Since we are talking about sports presenters, it's very noticeable that when comments are made by people about male sports presenters that they don't like (for whatever reasons) none of the reasons given are about their gender. Yet when it comes to women sports presenters that they don't like, one or two posters have linked their dislike of the woman presenter or her unsuitability for the job, directly to her gender. This is sexism pure and simple i.e. someone should not be considered for a certain sports presenters job because of their sex.

By all means lets have our views on who we think does a good job at sports presenting and who we we think are crap, I watch a lot of sport on TV (probably too much) and there are a few commentators who I think are a total waste of space. Some of those are male and some are female. But the reasons why I dislike them are nothing to do with what gender they happen to be - It's because I think they are crap at it and that given half a chance I reckon I could do a better job ....

 

[Mr Kandid]

I find the title of this thread both sexist and inappropriate.

 

[linesrg]

Good morning all,

I'm not sure how many inclusivity boxes C4's coverage of F1 has tried to tick in the last year but they had and still have some diabolical choices.

Regards

Richard

 

[oldius]

Good morning all,

I'm not sure how many inclusivity boxes C4's coverage of F1 has tried to tick in the last year but they had and still have some diabolical choices.

Regards

Richard

In the past, perhaps 'exclusivity boxes' may have been used.

Can we just accept that modern broadcasting requires representation from all communities? First, because it is the right thing to do, and, second, because to actually grow and develop sport, young people need role models that they can identify with. Along that journey, some broadcasters will showcase outstanding knowledge and skill, just as some broadcasters did in the radio days and until this point. Some will not be upto the task, and will be found out, and we have all witnessed people being given broadcasting jobs who have turned out to be totally disengaging, inept, and unsuited to modern broadcasting.

 

[Von Krolock]

I used to go to cricket test matches every year with my Dad & generally the sport was magnificent.
The talent of the players was eye opening and TV can only hint at the live experience.
The summer footie recess brought in a few 'sports' fans eager for a sporting day out
and this could stretch toleration..

Presenters and commentators are generally articulate & knowledgeable with a passion for the game.