An advertisement for an unpaid, full-time physiotherapy position in the NRLW has sparked widespread criticism, highlighting not only ongoing inequities in women’s sport but also the expectations placed on the professionals who support these athletes.
In Australia, physiotherapy is a female dominated field with 63% of practitioners identifying as female and 31% identifying as male. Despite this, male physiotherapists are 20% more likely to occupy the field’s management roles.
A study conducted by La Trobe University found that the inequality seen on the field is also prevalent behind the scenes- with the findings showing female physiotherapists exposed to a large amount of gender inequality and harassment while working.
Head of the study and La Trobe University senior research fellow Dr Sallie Cowan said the underrepresentation of women in sporting and leaderships positions furthers gender inequality in all fields relating to sport.
“Women physios and doctors working in elite sport in Australia experience significantly more gender inequality and harassment than men. They also work less paid hours per week and less paid weeks per year than men,” she said.
“Professional sport in Australia is still very male-dominated. Men are more likely to work with male athletes and roles with men’s teams are considered to be more prestigious and better paid.”
Male practitioners worked 74% more paid hours every week than female physiotherapists. In contrast, women contributed more unpaid hours to their teams.
In addition, the study reflected women were seven-times more likely to collaborate with female or mixed sporting team rather than working solely with male athletes.
Gender continues to impact the recruitment process, with twice as many women (than men) feeling passed over by jobs and excluded from opportunities. In the industry, men often get jobs through networking, while women follow a traditional application process.
Women are also more likely to experience sexual harassment and abuse in the workplace. The study illustrated they also feel less supported or comfortable discussing these experiences.
British Journal of Sports Medicine 2024
UOW exercise science honours student Maddy Rennie said she had been placed in uncomfortable situations during her work as a sporting team physiotherapist.
“It does make me uncomfortable when I’m on a job, acting professional and I don’t get the same courtesy. We’re just there to do our jobs,” she said.
The La Trobe research team continues to work address these issues and inequality, encouraging sports organisations acknowledge and “say no” to gender biases.