A sea of white in the student section roars as a winning three-point shot is made at the buzzer.
This student section participation is typical for a boys basketball game; however, there is no one to celebrate similar plays in the same section at a girls basketball game occurring at home on different night- the student area is barely populated with not so much as a poster in sight.
Traditionally, boys sports have received more attention and support from the community and student body; it is crucial to recognize now that all of Susquehannock’s girls sports teams are equally as worthy and deserving of fandom.
On average, 290 girls play in the 16 sports that Susquehannock offers. However, on average there are 338 boys that play in 14 Susquehannock sports. There are 2 less sports that are offered for boys than girls, and yet there is a big difference in how many participate. There are around 56 students on one boys team.
Perhaps this could be due to the student body’s focus on boys sports.
According to Athletic Director Brad Keeney, for this past soccer season, there were 534 more home ticket sales at boys soccer games than at girls soccer games. Boys lacrosse achieves higher attendance rates than girls lacrosse as well.
Keeney suggested the reasoning for the disparity in support for boys versus girls high school sports is an effect of traditional cultural beliefs or values in men’s versus women’s sports.
Junior basketball player and student section regular Joe Fuller thinks differently about boys sports getting more attendance.
“[Boys sports are] more entertaining, and there’s bigger plays, like more physical and more fast,” Fuller said.
Hope does exist however with the junior high girls basketball team getting more attention than junior high boys.
Nationally, female athletes have had less support as well.
In the WNBA, the average attendance for a game was 6,615, whereas the NBA average attendance is 18,077.
In light of these national and local attendance trends, Susquehannock students and sports fans must show their love for both girls and boys teams equally in the future
By supporting girls high school sports alongside the boys teams, we promote fairness and inclusivity.
High school sports provide valuable opportunities for skill development and personal growth. Girls who participate in sports learn important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and time management. Participation in high school sports also contributes to the physical and mental well-being of female athletes. These skills are essential for success both on and off the field/court, and girls need to feel recognized in order to want to to develop them through sports.
Supporting girls high school sports means prioritizing the well-being of all students.
High school sports have the power to bring communities together and foster school spirit. When girls teams are supported and celebrated, it creates a sense of pride and unity among students, parents, and faculty. By investing in girls high school sports, schools can strengthen their community bonds and create a more positive and inclusive school culture.
From this writer’s experience playing girls basketball, it is evident that there is a disproportionate amount of fans at girls sports versus boys sports.
Girls high school sports are an integral part of the high school experience and deserve equal support and recognition.
The student body and community needs to work together to support all athletes, ensuring girls have the same opportunities to feel supported in high school sports as boys.
So, invite your friends, make posters, and show up at girls sporting events.
Flood the student section, and the girls will show you their exciting, fast-paced athleticism as a thank you.
