Isabella described the scary experience of going up against a 6’2 male

2GB host Ben Fordham spoke with “Isabella”, a 17 year old female sports player who shared her experience of playing against a male in netball. 

She wrote a paper for a school assignment describing the huge advantage this male player had on the court.

She included her feelings during and after the game including the shock of being forced to play against him.

She first realised what she was up against when he bumped into her in the female change room. 

Isabella described the “sick wave in her stomach” as she thought about taking the court with “a 6’2 man with huge muscular arms and great broad shoulders.” She also noted there were young girls in the changeroom as well as girls showering.

Isabella said she was really scared she was going to get hurt, not necessarily on purpose, but even something accidental could cause serious injury. 

The female player was faced with the reality of this man towering over her as she attempted to shoot goals. 

She described wanting to get away from him, but she couldn’t.

Even though technically netball is a no-contact sport, defence players get very close to their opponents. 

Isabella described how uncomfortable she felt as he rubbed his body against hers on the court as he took up his defence.

“I felt really violated, and really let down. This is now something women are having to face at the same time as being discouraged from speaking up about it.”

Isabella said that playing against him was “intimidating”, “scary and daunting.” She said she “just wanted to speak out for the sake of women’s sport and it’s future.”

These blokes can play in mixed teams or male divisions, there is absolutely no need for them to colonize women’s sport. 

It is time for all sporting organisations to start listening to female participants.