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Game on: The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport has launched on Netflix – Listen to our new NTU podcast to hear all about it!

20 July 2023

In the latest episode of the Research Reimagined podcast, Dr Ali Bowes, lecturer in the Sociology of Sport at Nottingham Trent University, talks about her role in a powerful new Netflix documentary all about gender equality in sport and explores the incredible rise of women’s sport around the world.

The ground-breaking documentary series “Game On: The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport” has recently premiered on Netflix. This compelling series, directed and produced by Sue Anstiss MBE and Jack Tompkins, delves deep into the challenges and controversies that have historically hindered the progress of women’s sport.

Sue Anstiss is an accomplished author, podcast host, and inspiring women’s sport activist. Her unwavering dedication to driving change in the sporting world spans over three decades, during which she has spearheaded numerous transformative initiatives through her engaging content, captivating storytelling, and impactful campaigns. With her vast expertise and passion, Sue has been at the forefront of empowering women in sports and breaking down barriers that have impeded their growth and recognition.

Sue brings her vision to life in “Game On: The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport.” This documentary confronts the contentious issues that have plagued women’s sports, shedding light on the obstacles that athletes and advocates have encountered throughout history. By highlighting these challenges, the documentary aims to raise awareness, ignite important conversations, and ultimately propel positive change within the sporting landscape.

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Dr. Ali Bowes, an esteemed Senior Lecturer of Sports Science at NTU, shares her insights and expertise, shedding light on her personal experiences and extensive research into elite women’s sports and the issue of inequality.

“It was a great experience to be able to contribute to the Game On documentary. In the documentary, I draw upon my research into inequality in women’s sport to talk about both the challenging history of women’s involvement in sport, and contemporary issues such as uniform regulations and the restrictions of femininity. It’s great to see these issues in such an accessible place.

I’m currently researching the professionalisation of women’s sport, having published two books on the topic in the last 2 years. Beyond this, alongside colleagues and PhD students, I’m working on the gendering of athletic wear, as well as highlighting issues facing women in sport coaching, women in sport journalism.

My hopes for the future of women in sport is the pursuit of genuine gender equality, across all avenues. It’s not enough to just strive for equal representation in terms of numbers on the pitch, or hours on the television, or in board rooms. It’s connected to broader cultural change, which will hopefully happen with more women involved in positions of leadership.” – Dr. Ali Bowes, July 2023. 

Through her appearance in the documentary, Dr. Bowes offers a compelling perspective, highlighting the importance of her contributions in advancing our understanding of the challenges faced by female athletes and advocating for greater equity in the sporting world.

By amplifying the voices of women athletes and addressing the systemic issues that have impeded their progress, we can all work collectively towards a future where women’s sports receive the funding, recognition, and respect they deserve. Through continued dedication, advocacy, and the power of education, the sporting world can be transformed into a truly equal playing field.

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