Female Athletes In The Media

and interest of the participants. For example, these findings agree with discoveries by Besnier (2012:498) who advanced that in Japanese rugby players describe (hoso matcho) “slim macho” bodies to be of superior and desirable quality than the (gori matcho) “gorilla macho”. The body one could assume playing sports, are displayed in the media through commercials and advertisements to represent various brands, national identities, and company image. The display of such images of accomplished women athletes are shown on TV, internet, CDs, cover pages of top magazines, newspapers (electronic and the print media). The desire to have such images that fit into the society’s/culture’s standard of what is right to have, motivates females to participate

Outstanding elite and successful recreational female athletes use the media to serve as a medium to encourage other women to play sports, by asking participants to persevere and aspire to live healthy lifestyles irrespective of the opposition they face to play. Through programs like these by the media, interest groups have become more accepting of females participation in sports. Findings in the study show media provides detailed information through advertisements and commercials about the most suitable facilities and best options available to fit individual needs based on the age, sex, money, interest and access. In addition to this, the media provides information about the facilities rates, as well as eligibility information to help the prospective participant make very informed choices. Information about available options (rentals, fees, equipment, clubs and Apparels) to existing and prospective members are provided in the media. Through the media, participants are thought the proper way to use equipment and safe way to play to avoid

Participants complained that the high cost involved in paying for the facilities, serve as a deterrents to their sports participation especially for those who have limited income. Non-affordability and inability to pay on time to play truncates regular participation. The services that participants say they require include: employing highly skilled and qualified professionals (coach, instructors, and etcetera), a physio therapist, equipment rentals, specialized services, medical person, and manager. Other services that participants say impede their participation are membership dues/fees, club registration fees, and high transportation cost (high cost of fuel and bus pass/tickets). All these services require upfront payments before participants are allowed to play. Facilities participants identified to influence their participation in sports are: equipment, apparels, and gear. Inability to afford these facilities means the person will not be able to play. For example in ice hockey, if a participant does not have the helmet, or hockey sticks and the like, they will not be able and allowed to play. Mothers participating in sports complained in most cases they have to pay for themselves and some members of the family. This is a major challenge for them. Mums in situations like this said, what they normally do is to save up towards payment of registration fees. This creates the