A Former professional female golfer from Teesside has spoken about her experiences of sexism during her playing and coaching years.
With the growing interest in women’s sport, women are finding that now is the time to speak out about their experiences of sexism in sport.
In a survey undertaken by the BBC, 65% of sportswomen had been faced with some form of sexism, however, only 10% of women reported it.
In years gone by, female athletes said they didn’t know where to report their experiences and those who did, weren’t taken seriously.
Some cases go unreported, as many women feel that it could harm their career if they spoke out.
According to Women in Sport there are also huge gaps in the amount of women playing sport, compared to men, in group sports 7% more men play than women, and for younger children the gap rises to 22%.
Of 5-11 year olds only 49% of girls played a team sport, compared to 70% of boys.
“Women were always second best”
Lawrie Rochester – an ex-professional golfer from Stokesley in Middlesbrough spoke to Tuxtra on the adversity she faced when she played.
“It felt like the organizers put boundaries in front of women on purpose,” She said.
“The prize money for the women’s tournaments meant you could win and still be £500 out of pocket
“There was always boundaries even when you were teaching, guys would come into lessons and not think I could do anything for them (because I was female).
“They (the men) would come with engrained problems and you have to undo them, and it often gets worse before it gets better.
“Some men would not speak to you because you were a woman until they find out how good you were, become your best friend, then once they got back to the clubhouse stop talking again.
“The organizers were so old boys, and male orientated and it ran through to the clubs.
“It was hard especially the first three year when you were learning… I was proud I stuck it out.
“It was always segregated… women weren’t allowed in certain places in the clubhouse.
“When I received my certificate he (the host) said ‘I didn’t realize you were a girl’.
“There weren’t that many women golfers (to look up to) when I was young, that’s why so few women got into golf.”
Lawrie also spoke on her relationship with golf and how different it is compared to when she played.
“It became difficult to enjoy when you hobby became your job, it was work then, She said.
“It’s came on a huge amount of leaps and bounds, money wise, acceptance wise.
“The standards have gotten so high now.
“I don’t have a relationship with golf at all now.
“I just got totally sick of it.
“I put my clubs in the cupboard, and I haven’t touched them in 14 years.
“I never regretted leaving golf… it was time to change.”
