Why All-Girls Swim Teams Need More Praise
By Ellie Martin, Swimming World Intern
Unlike most sports, swimming is one of the few sports that really competes with all genders as an integrated team. The majority of USA Swimming teams have both men’s and women’s teams that have the opportunity to practice together and compete at the same meet. While most sports like lacrosse and basketball have completely separate teams for different genders, the majority of swim teams are unified.
Why Co-Ed?
There are some obvious benefits that come with a mixed gender team. Growing up, swimming athletes have the opportunity to interact and build friendships with the opposite gender that they may have not had before. Having mixed gender sports can also help children from building gender based stereotypes. This can allow boys and girls to build different character skills that they might not if they weren’t on a co-ed team. Being able to learn more social skills and engage with the other gender is a great opportunity, and one of the many reasons why swimming is praised for being mostly co-ed.
While most co-ed teams are applauded, a lot of all girls teams are looked down on as not being as serious or competitive, especially all girls swim teams in college.
The Cause of Women-Only Teams
In 1972, when Title IX was established, the roles of both education and athletes changed for women all across the country. Title IX established that all federally funded institutions, like colleges, are legally required to provide girls and boys with equal sports opportunities and funding.
Because Title IX entails that colleges have equal scholarship opportunities for men and women, there has been many cuts of men’s teams as they don’t have resources to allocate to smaller men’s sports. Because of this, there has been a rise of all girls teams, especially in swimming.
There are a multitude of reasons why college athletes choose to attend a school with an all girls team. Being on an all girls team may turn away some athletes, but for a lot of swimmers it can be ideal. Being on an all girls team can amplify the team spirit and lead to a more positive and welcoming environment.
UVM’s Swimming and Diving Team: A Great Example
The University of Vermont Swimming and Diving Team, whose men’s swim team was cut in 2006, has fully accepted being an all women’s team. From the moment that you walk into the Forbush Natatorium, you can just feel the atmosphere the team has created, being a perfect example of how there is nothing wrong with an all girls team.
Sophomore Cailin Campbell had nothing but positive things to say about being on University of Vermont’s all women’s team: “I really enjoy being on an all girls team because we are all able to be our authentic selves; which makes our practices, meets, team activities, and honestly our college experience just so much more real.”.
As Campbell said, being on an all girls team has allowed for more female athletes to feel more like themselves. This can led to being more comfortable in and out of the pool. Being on an all girls team can be seen as less pressure, and give the opportunity to athletes to choose to express their femininity, or not. An all female team helps push the motive of girls supporting girls, and allows for swimmers to constantly push each other to be the best athlete they can be in and out of the pool.
For junior Kira Parker, her favorite thing about being on the University of Vermont’s Swimming and Diving team is that she “knows that the girls are there and I am there for them no matter what.” The atmosphere that is typically created in an all girls team is unmatched, and only makes the group of girls stronger and closer. Being on an all girls team gives you a second family, a team full of sisters who you will always have to go to.
Power to The Girls
Despite some of the negative connotations, the University of Vermont’s Swimming and Diving and hundreds of other all girls collegiate swimming teams prove that a team of only girls is just as powerful and devoted as any co-ed team.
All commentaries are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Swimming World Magazine nor its staff.
Excellent article Ellie and of course a team of only girls is just as powerful and devoted as any co ed team….Go Ellie Go!!!!!