Other Games 2014-15

[dave shelley]

I went to see New Zealand play Cameroon in the 2012 Olympics at the Ricoh Arena.  Neither side would be in the upper echelon's of women's football but I have to say; I was quite impressed.  You have to think if the standard of the countries international teams is good, then the infrastructure must be in place to make it so and, that's not a bad thing.

I live in a small provincial town and, the local girls secondary school has just won a national cup final, now that's a fair achievement considering the fact that they are competing against the massively funded GAA for players and money.

[PeterWithe]

I see Altidore scored again for the USA.

'HE'S AT IT AGAIN!!'

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

I went to see New Zealand play Cameroon in the 2012 Olympics at the Ricoh Arena.  Neither side would be in the upper echelon's of women's football but I have to say; I was quite impressed.  You have to think if the standard of the countries international teams is good, then the infrastructure must be in place to make it so and, that's not a bad thing.

I live in a small provincial town and, the local girls secondary school has just won a national cup final, now that's a fair achievement considering the fact that they are competing against the massively funded GAA for players and money.

I think a football fan can find interest/entertainment in any level of football from a few kids having a kickabout, to the World Cup Final.

The problem for women's football is that fans of the men's game probably won't go and support it to the same extent as they do the men's team; which means they will have to attract the biggest untapped market - women.  They're basically where the English men's game was in the 1890s, so it's hard to criticise it for not being as entertaining or as good as the men's game.

Of course that's not just a problem for women's football, it's the same for practically most other sports; they're all in the shadow of the men's game.

[PeterWithesShin]

The problem with women's football is that the standard overall is poor. There will be some moments of real quality in a game, but at the same time some of it is Sunday parks stuff, even at the higher levels. That's always going to make it a hard sell to spectators.

[peter w]

The problem with women's football, and women's sport in general, is that it's compared by the majority of people to the men's game. its not fair but is always going to happen. I do not watch women's sports games - unless its the Olympics - because the men's is better because of natural strengths.The fitness question is irrelevant. Many women at the highest can be equally as fit and fitter than similar men, but it doesn't improve the quality of the sport being played in comparison.

[Toronto Villa]

Women's golf is excellent. Once you get past the driving distance the rest of the game is essentially the same as the men. It is highly skilful and as a sport every bit as good as the men's game.

[Brend'Watkins]

Women's golf is excellent. Once you get past the driving distance the rest of the game is essentially the same as the men. It is highly skilful and as a sport every bit as good as the men's game.

Every bit as good as the mens game is still quite dull to watch though. 

I do like the last day of the Ryder cup though.

[Chris Jameson]

My brother used to caddy on the European circuit, he did a couple of women's tournaments and said the standard of golf was shocking. I dare say the standard has improved since the late eighties early nineties though.

[john e]

ok, question

what sports do women and men compete directly against each other,
and mixed doubles doesn't count

[Monty]

I quite like watching top-level women's football. Because the players can't run as fast they can't close down as much, leaving more space to skilful players than in the men's game. I admit, it does get a bit boring after a while though.

[Legion]

Equestrian
Sailing

[john e]

Equestrian
Sailing

horse racing is the only one I can think of, I thought sailing was mans and womens comps

[Tokyo Sexwhale]

ok, question

what sports do women and men compete directly against each other,
and mixed doubles doesn't count

Showjumping/Three Day Eventing/Dressage - all that malarkey - is the only sport where women compete directly with men and seem to have an even chance of winning.

Theoretically, they ought to be able to compete on a level playing field in motor sports and non-physical sports like darts and snooker.

I think the reason for the relative success in equestrianism (as opposed to motor sports/darts/snooker) is that young girls seem to have a much greater interest and participation.

[PeterWithesShin]

Makes sense. Start the bloke with 8 in 29 and leave the bloke with 29 in 43 on the bench.

[PeterWithesShin]

Clive will be more and more unbearable with each goal Shrek scores.