Netherlands piloting women to play men's football

[Papa Shango]

It would be a farce in professional football.

Women attempting to tackle male players but then male players being crucified by the media for going in hard or cynical on a female player especially if it resulted in an injury etc.

These people haven't a clue what they are advocating- it would be utter chaos and a much bigger sideshow than it would be a success.

Well I guess that's the inherent sexism isn't it? Poor frail women can't take it etc. You are right, of course that will be how it is perceived by the media/public and that's wrong.

It wont happen though, to be honest I don't think anyone is really saying it will. I mean I am probably the biggest women's football nerd on here by a long way and I don't want it to happen as such either. There is no real harm in looking into it though and making an exception at that level.

Most female footballers who I have read interviews from etc actually prefer men's football, I suppose they would do as that's what got them into it in the first place.

I think the public perception has improved which is all I wanted. Less people say the women are not talented these days which is great, I mean some of them obviously are, it's the people who complete dismiss the game that I have no time for.

 

[Disgruntledgoat]

I havent a real issue with that - I have an issue with the long term hopes of these people to make mixed gender continue into professional level sports which is both unfair and unsafe.

If by "these people" you're referring to the Dutch football federation... They've been playing the long game, haven't they? It's taken them 34 years to allow one female into the amateur A leagues after mixing age group and B football.

 

[witchdoc187]

What on earth makes you think a team would put an "average female CB against Andy Carroll".
It's like the old saying about young players playing in a senior league - "if they are good enough then they are old enough". Same would apply to women.

I bet you were against female officials when they started?

Absolutely nothing to do with being PC.

Mandy Carroll would have him in her purse all day

 

[JLW]

Mandy Carroll would have him in her purse all day

Hahahahaha

 

[The binman chronicles]

If women choose to play a sport then it's fair to say they know the risks. In cycling Annamiek van Vleuten won Strada Bianchi last weekend. She did this in the Rio Olympics



Reckon they can handle it tbh.

I remember watching that at the time, not pleasant viewing and yes she is a tough cookie. However the comparison is not the same, in this version she would be up against a man who shouldered her off the road. And that is why you don't have them competing against each other.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I remember watching that at the time, not pleasant viewing and yes she is a tough cookie. However the comparison is not the same, in this version she would be up against a man who shouldered her off the road. And that is why you don't have them competing against each other.

I've ridden numerous events with female riders. But then I've never had the urge to physically injure a fellow competitor either because I'm not a psycho.

 

[DOMNOLAN]

I believe FA rules only allow mixed teams for under 18 only... However, it will change when economics dictate...



And the physical nonsenses is funny, it's been debunked it's like something out of 1950s as in Africans are only good at athletics...

I’m sorry mate, if you’re trying to say there are no physical differences between men and women, I’m not sure how to respond

 

[Disgruntledgoat]

I remember watching that at the time, not pleasant viewing and yes she is a tough cookie. However the comparison is not the same, in this version she would be up against a man who shouldered her off the road. And that is why you don't have them competing against each other.

The women's race at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad had to stop and wait for 20 minutes last year because they were catching the men on course.

 

[ClausThomsen]

It’s not a certainty mate but it will open a can of worms within the current “lets be outraged over something” society.

It wouldn’t be long before clubs are being accused of sexism for not playing less talented women over men.

I certainly wouldn’t want our club being dragged through anything like that.

The irony of mentioning the "lets be outraged over something society" while railing against an entirely hypothetical scenario.

 

[Disgruntledgoat]

Interestingly, ultrasport is showing that women can take on and beat men...

Lael Wilcox and Fiona Kolbinger are utter badasses

THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RACE — TRANSCONTINENTAL

The Transcontinental Race is the definitive self-supported bicycle race across Europe. At the sharp end it is a beautifully hard bicycle race, simple in design but complex in execution. Factors of self reliance, logistics, navigation and judgement burden racers’ minds as well as their physiques.

www.transcontinental.cc

 

[The binman chronicles]

I've ridden numerous events with female riders. But then I've never had the urge to physically injure a fellow competitor either because I'm not a psycho.

If it was a choice between olympic gold medal or silver you would be getting your elbows out. Exactly the same if it was an FA cup final.

 

[zzr45]

Interestingly, ultrasport is showing that women can take on and beat men...

Lael Wilcox and Fiona Kolbinger are utter badasses

THE TRANSCONTINENTAL RACE — TRANSCONTINENTAL

The Transcontinental Race is the definitive self-supported bicycle race across Europe. At the sharp end it is a beautifully hard bicycle race, simple in design but complex in execution. Factors of self reliance, logistics, navigation and judgement burden racers’ minds as well as their physiques.

www.transcontinental.cc

How many top level athletes does the sport attract?

 

[ClausThomsen]

Because the study is inherently flawed from the get go - they'll never sample them in a proper setting ie. The PL/Championship level so they'll end up doing studies in the dutch 10th divison or something - find women can compete at that level and then they'll be "championing" the results and claiming this is now proof that sports should be not split by gender etc which is rubbish.

Nothing stopping a female competitor from being the "messi" of the female league - it shouldn't be "oh you are very good therefore you have to play with the men" thats demeaning towards the other female competitors and is the definition of sexism.

Who's actually saying that anyone has to play with the men. If Person A is good enough to play for Team B then the fact that Person A is a woman doesn't really matter. She's either good enough or not good enough.

If it turns out that due to any number of reasons that Person A turns out to be not good enough then so be it. If anything this will show that the narrative of biology doesn't matter in anything is hugely flawed and sometimes dangerous.

 

[Disgruntledgoat]

How many top level athletes does the sport attract?

Try it for yourself mate, anybody able to cycle 4000km in 10 days completely unsupported is a top level athlete. The fact that it isn't a commercial event is irrelevant.

 

[Zezti]

Absolutely no problem with this.

If they're good enough, why not? This isn't about averages. In an ideal world I'd want to see the best players play together regardless of age, race or sex.

Any suggestion of quotas can do one though.