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When I was a kid, I used to sit on the bonnet of an HR Holden and watch my dad play country footy.

I thought I understood the game.

But years later I realised something strange: I had only ever been watching half of it.

In this episode of The C-Word, I look at what happens when women step into sporting spaces that were never originally built for them.

From ill-fitting guernseys and dodgy change rooms to online abuse aimed at women players, commentators and umpires, women’s sport still provokes reactions that go well beyond the game itself.

Along the way we talk about:

• why women’s sport suddenly grows when it becomes visible

• the history of women being pushed out of football despite drawing huge crowds

• why gay women seem to find space in sport while gay men still struggle to come out in the AFL

• and why being a woman in sport can sometimes feel like being a vegan handed a chicken schnitzel.

Technically you’ve been served dinner.

It’s just not made for you.

Content Note

We discuss women’s bodies, medical systems, trauma, and other hard-to-talk-about stuff. Also, I swear. A lot.

Support

These resources aren’t included as a formality. Catharine has personally used several of these services during hard and frightening times.

Australia | 24/7

• Lifeline 13 11 14
• Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (ages 5–25)
• 1800RESPECT 1800 737 732
• Emergency 000

Outside Australia, local crisis services are available.

Community

Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/zjooshyoursocials

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/catharine.redden/

Support the podcast
https://catharineredden.substack.com

https://buymeacoffee.com/CatharineRedden

Credits

Recorded on the lands of the Ramindjeri and Ngarrindjeri peoples.

Sovereignty never ceded.

Recorded & edited at Ridley Farm Studio by Luke Ridley

https://ridleyfarmstudio.com.au

https://www.instagram.com/ridleyfarmstudio/

About

The C-Word with Cath...