BASEBALL VICTORIA - COACHING ACCREDITATION July 2014 | Page 7

Gender and Social Inclusion

To many, “inclusion” means to invite people with a disability to participate in
recreational activity.
This is just one aspect inclusion, when there are many more issues surrounding people
without physical or intellectual impairments. Baseball is predominantly governed and
participated in by Caucasian males meaning that the change must come from within the
framework of the clubs and associat ions.

Women in Baseball

Female inclusion and maintained participation is largely attributed to the environment.
A positive, safe environment will result in a higher rate of maintained participation, with
the inverse being true. Women tend to participate in recreational physical activities with
a higher rate than structured sport. Statistics show that participation rates for females
decline above the age of 14. With this in mind, measure s can be taken to provide
continual positive experiences in the sport to maintain engagement for life.
Challenges:
Less willing to participate in structured sport initially.
Fewer opportunities to progress to higher levels.
Outnumbered by male counterparts
Excluded by males through bullying and intimidated
Considerations:
Welcoming attitude to the program.
Creating a program that creates positive experiences.
Program receives same level of qualified coaches as the male programs.
Creation of female only program
Integrate females into skill appropriate groups
Male coaches be aware of physical contact with younger girls , never be alone with them.

Tip: Attach a family component to the program

“The journey around the bases is
different for everyone”