Joe’s Basketball Diaries Episode 6: Women in Sports
The pressure female athletes, coaches and journalists face in sport – and society at large – is explored in the season finale of Joe’s Basketball Diaries, hosted by Joseph Wong, the University of Toronto’s vice-president, international.
Guests highlight the systemic and structural nature of sexism and racism in sports, and the importance of representation – particularly in leadership.
“You can’t be what you can’t see,” says Tamara Tatham, a two-time Olympian who is the head coach of ֱ’s women’s Varsity Blues basketball team.
Women athletes, especially those who are racialized, face expectations of failure and their successes are treated as anomalies, adds Hannah Flores, a ֱ undergraduate student.
Other topics discussed include sexist double standards in sports, scrutiny of women’s bodies and behaviour, and the many ways these inequities are compounded for racialized and LGBTQ+ athletes.
This episode features:
- Hannah Flores, spoken word artist and ֱ undergraduate student
- Savanna Hamilton, sideline reporter, Toronto Raptors and Sportsnet
- Amreen Kadwa, founder and executive director of Hijabi Ballers
- Nicole Kaniki, ֱ’s director of diversity, equity and inclusion in research and innovation
- Tamara Tatham, two-time Olympian and head coach of the ֱ women’s Varsity Blues basketball team