By: Madison Kim, Staff Writer
For many high schoolers across the country, sports are more than just a game, they represent leadership, dedication, hard work, and school pride. Because of this, social media platforms like Instagram have become a space to celebrate athletic achievements and give recognition for standout performances. But what happens when that coverage is only focused on boys sports? When did boys’ athletic achievements become more worthy of attention than girls’?
An Instagram account by the name of “@hocosportshub” is widely-known around Howard County. It has around 3,300 followers and most athletes and non athletes I know repost or interact with their content. However, their content has recently raised questions as to the balance of their coverage. While the account represents itself as a source for all Howard county sports, all their content is focused around only boy’s team ranking, boy’s game results and boy’s team standings. This entire fall season of sports that have been posted have been strictly boys soccer and boys football.
Senior varsity volleyball player, Lorenza Martini, expressed her concern, “Not having any recognition hurts because it feels like girls’ sports aren’t valued or don’t matter as much, but I know they do.” This is the effect of having no recognition can have on female athletes. When girls’ accomplishments are neglected, it can make their hard work feel invisible, even when they practice the same, compete the same, and go through the same hardships that the boys team goes through. If HoCo’s Sports Hub claims to represent Howard County sports, the question remains, why are Howard County female athletes being left out?
The lack of recognition and representation for girls sports is not an issue that exists only in this Instagram page. It reflects a larger perspective and larger divide that has existed in sports for many generations. According to a study conducted by Purdue, “women’s sports only made up 5.4% of sports coverage in 2019 — similarly low to 5% and 5.1% in 1989 and 1993, respectively.” Society has often placed more attention on male athletes, treating boys’ sports as more exciting, competitive, or deserving of recognition while girls are expected to simply accept less. Flag football athlete Kemi Otolorin explains why she thinks this is happening, “When most people hear about sports you think about boys football, boys soccer or boys basketball. It’s what we’re trained to think, it’s unacceptable.” When society has become so accustomed to overlooking girls’ accomplishments in sports, the problem is larger than just a lack of coverage. It is a culture that has taught young girls everywhere, whose accomplishments deserve to be seen and whose can be ignored.
River Hill girls’ sports have accomplished so much, yet none of these events were covered by howard county sports hub. Our girls soccer team defeated Reservoir 2-1 on their senior night, Girls varsity volleyball won 1st place at the Crofton tournament, as well as all 3 teams winning all 3 games at their digs for hope game against centennial, and most recently winning 3-2 to rival team Glenelg with one match being 25-6. Girls field hockey had their biggest win against Centennial in a 3-2 overtime thriller, girls flag football beat Hammond 50-0 , Guilford Park 27-0, and Glenelg, last year’s champ, 21-2. Girls golf won the county championship for the second consecutive year, and they have remained undefeated throughout this season, and last year’s second-place finish at the 1A/2A state competition being a huge accomplishment.
Freshman Izy Martini says “It should be standard for girls who put in the work and have achievements to deserve recognition.” Girls will continue to break records, win championships and make history; how long will it take for them to start getting the recognition they deserve?
