W-League public image

[greavsie's_daughter]

Hey- I know this has been done, and I know what the response to this posting is going to be. Be I feel it would be irresponsible for me not to say what I am about to say. I got a poster today for the A-League. The image that was presented seemed less about soccer and more about objectifying young women to appeal to a male audience. Now, I know that we want to get men out to see W-League games, but does it have to be this bad? Honestly. Are the people involved with the W-league (including the players) really willing to say 'anything that gets people out to the games is ok'? Sex symbols first, serious athletes second?

By the way, the girls, the athletes, did a great job today on the pitch holding Newcastle to a nil-all draw. That's what the focus should be.

[on the side]

I think they are on the right track with it but have gone just a little bit too far with the airbrushing...

look at netball and other women dominated sports trying to get men to their sport and look at their advertising

[ball_girl]

I agree with you On The Side.
I also think its just the way we perceive it though. If you look at the men's advertising, they are also a little bit glorified (nowhere near as much as the women), made to look somewhat heroic.

I dont think they've done a bad job with the girls marketing. The girls are still fully clothed, just as on the side said, they've gone a little over the top with the airbrushing!

That said, the girls did a great job against newcastle lets hope for a good season!

[greavsie's_daughter]

On the Side, The 'everyone else is doing it' argument doesn't address the issue of objectifying women athletes- i.e. making the athletes look like underwear models to sell tickets (yes, at least they are fully clothed in the ad)...men generally don't take women's sports seriously (which leads to an under-commitment of resources- everything from pitch time to refs and quality coaching, not to mention money). This sort of advertising isn't helping at all IMO. A more realistic portrayal would be preferable, and more respectful of the talented women busting their guts out there on the pitch. They are heroic too.

[on the side]

sorry you've missed my point, when i say look at netball etc im saying their advertising isn't as airbrushed and looks alot more realistic. Their recent campaign was something about netballers are glamourous too or something with pics of them all dressed up:

Netball SA is seeking to enhance its profile in 2009 and you may have already noticed a fresh image of the Adelaide Thunderbirds Captain and Vice-Captain popping up over Adelaide. This new campaign has been developed with a key purpose to build the profile of netball as a whole within our community and also showcase the brand of the Thunderbirds in a new light.

http://thunderbirds.anz-championship.co ... &orgid=628

[bennylava]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the advertising pics...the girls are certainly not being degraded; they appear as footballers in the adverts with a bit more glamour and sparkle. couldve been alot worse - having them in bikinis or something.

for people who arnt normally interested in womens football, this kind of marketing is the best way to sell the w-league.

[themagnet]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the advertising pics...the girls are certainly not being degraded; they appear as footballers in the adverts with a bit more glamour and sparkle. couldve been alot worse - having them in bikinis or something.

for people who arnt normally interested in womens football, this kind of marketing is the best way to sell the w-league.

Yeah, I don't mind the ads I've seen, sure they're airbushed and enhanced a bit, but what advertising campaign isn't these days?

[Commando]

its got people talking.. so its worked

[ball_girl]

its got people talking.. so its worked

its got the soccer community talking, the same people who discuss whatever issues come up in the world of womens soccer.

the whole idea of marketing is to expand the fanbase... if its just the soccer community talking, i wouldnt say its been overly successful... yet.

[bennylava]

we will get a better idea next home game - see if the crowd size remains much the same even when the mens game isnt after the women.

[ball_girl]

thanks for the clarification bennylava.
thats exactly why i added '...yet' to the end of my post

[bennylava]

ha - just building on what you said really

[Unretired]

At half time there were 1100 people at hindmarsh at the womens game

At full time there were over 5000.

Lets hope the girls impressed them( the spectators) enough for them to come back.....