Lidl Ireland and the LGFA are urging supporters to 'Get Behind the Fight' as research reveals that 42 per cent of people are more likely to attend female games to watch a high-profile player.
Lidl Ambassador and Galway footballer, Nicola Ward, joined Lidl Ireland and the LGFA at the official launch of the Lidl Ireland National Football League season where new research was unveiled highlighting the importance of developing Irish female sporting role models.
New research conducted by Red C highlights the challenges in visibility for the women's game. The survey discovered that 43 per cent of people said that not knowing a player was a barrier to attending female sports events. Additionally, 51 per cent of the public said that they prefer to attend male sporting events, with almost a quarter of people believing that the women's game is not as important as the men's.
The appetite to encourage change is there, with people recognising the need to challenge societal norms to level the playing field. Research revealed that one in four people are more interested in women's sport than they were one year ago.
Two thirds of people said that having a female sporting role model encourages equality. Over half of people say that they contribute to promote gender equality within sport specifically, with 56 per cent saying they encourage diversity and inclusion in society.
All LGFA inter-county players surveyed recognised that having LGFA role models is important, with 58 per cent believing they can help raise the profile of the sport. However, 24 per cent of current LGFA inter-county players say gender issues and cultural or societal norms are the biggest barriers to becoming a role model.
