There aren’t many mainstream conversations about women in professional sports, especially during non-Olympics years. Luckily, that drought will break tonight thanks to “Tomboy: Elevating the Conversation About Gender in Sports and Beyond.” CSN’s new doc provides a much-deserved platform for female athletes and discusses the widespread ramifications when women are shut out of sports
“When I was five years old my grandma asked me, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ and I told her, ‘I want to be a hockey player,’” one of the interviewees recalls. “She said, ‘Oh, girls don’t play hockey.’” Since the person speaking is Hilary Knight —an Olympic medalist, World Champion hockey player — we know her grandmother was mistaken. But a lot of people still think of women and sports as completely separate. And, as the doc suggests, the instinct to keep women out of sports can carry over into other arenas.
“Equal opportunities and mutual respect for women and girls stand among the most hotly contested social issues in America,” “Tomboy’s” official synopsis reads. “The divisions that exist affect the development of confidence, disturb corporate boardrooms, and even disrupt presidential politics.”
Featuring commentary from female athletes, broadcasters, and sports execs, “Tomboy” examines “female participation in organized sports and the challenges faced at every level.” The documentary traces the female athlete’s journey “from the obstacles that young girls encounter at the recreational stage, to the stereotypes, language issues, and cultural disparities that follow, and ultimately the insufficient media coverage and compensation that afflicts elite professional athletes seeking full recognition for their talents.”
Besides Knight, the “Tomboy” commentators include Ann Meyers Drysdale, basketball Hall of Famer and NBC Olympics commentator; Nadine Angerer, soccer World Cup champion and FIFA World Player of the Year; Angela Hucles, Olympic medalist for soccer; Monica Abbott, “Million Dollar Arm” softball pitcher and Olympic medalist; Miesha Tate, UFC bantamweight champion; and Kim Ng, MLB Senior VP of Operations.
Alongside “Tomboy,” other recent projects focusing on real-life women in sports include Charlene Fisk and Carrie Schrader’s golf documentary “The Founders”; Laura Karpman and Gail Collins’ “Battle of the Sexes” opera, “Balls”; and Lifetime’s partnership with the National Women’s Soccer League.
“Tomboy” premieres on CSN tonight at 10PM EST. Check out the doc’s website for additional air dates and more information. Related content, podcasts, and forums will be released on CSN’s websites and social media.
