New research published by the UK’s leading pub company and brewer, Greene King, has revealed that nearly 70% of UK sports fans believe there is a massive lack of awareness and support for women’s sports teams when compared to the male equivalent. Whilst the lack of awareness for female sports is clear, it isn’t a fundamental disinterest that’s to blame.
According to the recent survey, nearly half (49%) of sports fans in the UK believe local pubs and bars should show more women’s sports on live TV. When it comes to hospitality venues, less than one in ten (8%) revealed their local pub shows women’s sports fixtures on their TVs, with two fifths (39%) of the UK believing their local pub doesn’t feel welcoming when it comes to watching women’s sports.
Two thirds of respondents also believe that more screen time for women’s fixtures in pubs and bars will help generate more support for women’s sport in general and 38% believe that pubs should better advertise their women’s sports fixtures. In time for international Women’s Day, Greene King will strengthen its commitment to supporting women’s sport and ensure its city centre pubs play a role in generating further support and awareness, by committing to show all remaining games across Sky and the BBC in the Women’s Super League on their screens until the end of the season, as well as all televised UEFA Women’s Euro games this summer.
Greene King is also working with international footballers Alex Greenwood and Lauren James to raise awareness of women’s sports fixtures across its city centre venues. Alex Greenwood, international footballer, comments: "International Women’s Day is all about equality. Sport has come a long way in the last few years but there's still progress to be made, and Greene King treating all football the same is a statement of intent that I'm delighted to be a part of."
Karen Bosher, Managing Director for Premium and Urban Pubs at Greene King, said: “Pubs have been part of the fabric of the UK for hundreds of years, providing a refreshing pint and a comfortable place to get together, especially to watch live sports. We want our pubs to be a welcoming space for all sports fans and it’s important that the service we provide encourages a diverse range of sports – in particular women’s sports.
“It’s clear from our research that people believe pubs have an important role to play in encouraging awareness and support for women’s sport which is why we’ve committed to showing the Women’s Super League across all our city centre venues – and what better time to announce this than International Women’s’ Day.”
To watch the Women’s Super League fixtures, find your nearest Greene King pub via our pub finder here.
