Who says girls can't play on the same team as boys?
This Education Law Update article is from October 2006. To receive the latest issue, subscribe here.
Kris Lines takes the story of a girl who wanted to play mixed football after the age of 12, and explains its implications across the spectrum of school sport.
Girl who challenged the football association
Minnie Crutwell is a 10-year-old girl from South London who plays football for the Balham Blazers. In March 2006, she reignited the debate over whether girls should be allowed to play football in mixed teams after they had reached the age of 12.
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Although Minnie wants to continue playing with her teammates when she turns 12, the Football Association rules require that she play for a girls' team.
The FA rule reads: 'Save for matches in a playing season in the age ranges under 7, under 8, under 9, under 10 and under 11, players in a match must be of the same gender.’
Minnie responded to the FA requirement by writing to the culture, media and sports secretary Tessa Jowell (who is also minister for women).
After going down to London to watch Minnie and her team play, Tessa Jowell arranged a meeting between Minnie and the Football Association to discuss the rule.
Minnie and her coach later submitted written evidence to the select committee on culture, media and sport about women's football.
This month's article builds on what we have already explored, looking at the implications of LTAD for gender, in particular for mixed-sex activities before, during and after puberty.
In particular, this article will discuss the implications of the recent and controversial case of Minnie Crutwell, the girl who wanted to continue playing mixed football after she reached the age of 12. Although Minnie's case focused on the playing of mixed football, the arguments made and the physiological evidence apply equally to other sports.
Small
This article will not express a view on whether single-sex or co-educational sport is the better approach to physical education at school. This is an emotive topic and there are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches.
What this article will evaluate is whether girls and boys can play legally on the same team. Religious belief, peer-group pressure, maturity, sexual identity, resource constraints, the nature of the sport, the type of activity, and the confidence of the pupils concerned, will all play a part in the decision. The evaluation offered in this article is, therefore, only a small piece of a large puzzle.
Implications for school sport
A proviso
The first thing to note is that this ruling concerned an amateur, out-of-school, sports club rather than a physical education lesson or a school team. Although there may be no direct legal precedent, it is still worth taking notice of this situation, since the Association for Physical Education (afPE) guidance is based on National Governing Body rules and regulations — what is relevant for an NGB body will eventually be relevant for school PE.
The second important point is that the issue of gender mismatching has not been reported in any major UK legal textbook or journal. The two most relevant cases are still Affutu-Nartoy v Clarke & Ilea, and Ward v Donegal Vocational Education Committee (discussed in last month's issue of Education Law Update), which deal with mismatching by size in same-sex teams.
Sex discrimination
The Sex Discrimination Act 1975 (section 44) says: ‘Nothing in Parts II to IV shall, in relation to any sport, game or other activity of a competitive nature where the physical strength, stamina or physique of the average woman puts her at a disadvantage to the average man, render unlawful any act related to the participation of a person as a competitor in events involving that activity which are confined to competitors of one sex.'
Given that the FA believes that the physical strength, stamina and physique of the average female footballer puts her at a disadvantage compared to the average male footballer, there is nothing illegal or discriminatory in the FA's ruling.
Section 44 would allow schools to have separate boys’ and girls' sports teams for some sports. Lessons could also be separated into single-sex classes if the sports were of a competitive nature and staff thought that there was a risk of injury through mismatching.
The FA argument
Effectively the FA argued that its regulations preventing 12-year-old girls from playing on boys' or mixed teams, were for the girls' own good. It pointed to the fact that it has a duty of care to provide safe football for all, and that boys and girls of over 11 are at different developmental stages, and therefore at increased risk of injury if they play together.
The FA also suggested that by segregating the sexes, it would enable women to develop their own teams and identify specific career paths.
These all seem sensible suggestions, but does the evidence support them?
The Physiological evidence
While it is true that there are certain important physiological differences between girls and boys, this should not be the determining factor when judging whether it is appropriate for them to play in mixed teams.
Pre-puberty (LTAD 'fundamentals' stage), although girls generally develop coordination skills faster than boys, there is no physiological reason to justify separating girls and boys in sport.
Girls begin their growth spurt earlier and reach a maximum growth rate at, on average, 11. By contrast, boys reach their maximum growth rate at about 14. Owing to the male hormone androgen, boys develop more muscle mass than do girls. Where a boy and a girl are the same height and weight, the boy will have more fat-free mass (a greater percentage of his body will be muscle) than the girl. So the boy will be stronger, able to run faster and throw farther.
What you would expect to see, therefore, is girls who are faster, stronger and taller than boys at the earlier stages of puberty, with boys becoming faster, stronger and taller later on.
It is obvious then that an unmonitored grouping of 12 to 15-year-old pupils in same-age, co-educational PE classes could result in physiological mismatching. But balanced against this is the girls' increased physical maturity post-puberty, which could compensate for the increased muscle mass of boys in their peer group.
The Women's Sport Foundation was, therefore, correct in its evidence to the commons culture, media and sport select committee that a ban on 11-year-old girls playing on the same team as boys is an arbitrary barrier.
Not every girl will be able, or want, to play on boys' sports teams. But where height, weight and skill levels allow, there is no physiological reason why girls and boys should not be allowed to play on the same team past a certain age.
If the FA accepts this recommendation, this would place the duty of care firmly on the individual coaches and teachers to ensure that the players were evenly matched and not at any additional risks. While this will be a higher burden to meet, it should also be a more equitable one, which will allow talented older girls to flourish in the sport.
The position abroad
There is evidence that this blanket ban on mixed football after 11 is not shared with other countries.
Dutch women's football already profits from a thriving domestic system and infrastructure. Girls can play mixed football with boys until the age of 19 — and the number of young females in clubs at all levels is growing. In Germany, girls play in boys' teams for as long as they want to. When they hit the point that they are too slow or are becoming out-muscled, they join a girls' team.
Title IX in America allows girls who wish to participate on boys' teams, the opportunity to do so.
Studies suggest that, owing to the greater demands on them, girls develop technical knowledge and ability at a faster rate when playing in mixed teams than they do when playing in single sex-teams. Having to win their place on a team therefore makes them more competitive.
Guidelines
The following should be taken into account when organising mixed sport:
- Consider the amount of physical contact involved. It may not be appropriate for some sports to be mixed — either because of the combative nature of the sport (boxing), or because of the intimate touching that may be involved, and the child protection issues that this raises: for example grappling techniques in judo and wrestling.
- Be wary when different sports have different rules or equipment for the sexes: for example men's tees are further back than women's tees.
- As well as football, consider other sports such as Korfball (designed as a mixed-team sport, where girls and boys compete on equal terms), softball, volleyball, dance, badminton, tennis, swimming or ultimate frisbee.
Bell v Staffordshire County Council (Unreported) December 2003
Two groups of primary pupils were playing tennis in the playground. The girls were using plastic rackets, whereas the boys were using strung rackets, which propelled the balls faster. One of the girls was hit in the eye by a tennis ball, when the boys turned their playing area at an angle so the balls were hit towards the girl's court.
The judge held this was a foreseeable accident given the power of the rackets and the positioning of the courts. (The boys should have been playing in the same direction as the girls).
P. Whitlam, Case Law in Physical Education and School Sport, (Baalpe 2005) p.222 cites Bell.
Comments
Girls in football
I would have to agree in this situation. Girls should be allowed to play with boys if there is no girls team. Discrimination (not racism), is a big role in what is going on today, but at the same time this was a club team and they have the right to make up their own rules and people pay to play in their leagues. Move to a different league if you don't agree or like what they are doing.
I believe that co-ed sports
I believe that co-ed sports are ok. According to the article, girls in Germany are striving because it's challenging to play with boys. I believe that for the most part, girls are going to know whether or not they can play with boys. Therefore, the girls that do play with boys, probably can hang with them and be competitive. Girls have muscle as well as the athletic ability...so if they want to, let them play.
I think that it is more
I think that it is more beneficial for girls to play with the guys when they are in high school and below. This makes them more competitive and more physical to be prepared for their sport at the college level. There are not many physical differences between guys and girls until they get into middle school. So there is no reason to have separate leagues for girls and boys at that age. High school is where most of the changes are noticed and even still there are some girls who are clearly still more athletic and skilled the some of the guys. So I say that if the girls will to try out and can keep up and compete with the guys then they should be allowed to play.
Let Her Play
I personally don't have a problem in this case with Minnie wanting to play for the boys team. This particular league has allowed her to play with boys up until a certain age and then say she must stop because of physiological evidence? If this is the FA's only argument along with the concern and safety of each individual, I cannot agree with their decision to deny her of playing. I think that if Minnie wants to play at this level and acknowledges the risks and challenges that may go along with it, she should be allowed to participate.
Boys and Girls on same teams
I agree, I do not think it is safe for girls to play on the same teams as boys after a certain age. It is a fact that after the age of 13 or 14, boys start growing more muscle than girls do. Any physical competitive sport is not safe for girls to play with boys.
However, this does not mean I am in any way saying that boys are better than girls. It is true that there are some girls that are much more talented in a sport than some guys, but it is just not safe from the physical point.
Males are proven to have
Males are proven to have more muscle mass and could therefore be precieved to be stronger/faster than females. However, the exceptionallity is within their ability, not capacity. If a boy has lower skill levels than his equal sex peers, then why should he be forced to participate with those that are far better than him? The same can be said for a girl who excels in sports yet is held back because she is forced to play with girls that are not at her skill level. The issue should not be based on gender, but should focus on the ability levels of the participants. This way, girls and boys can participate at the same developmental and skill level so that each has the oppertunity for improvement and (quite possibly) enjoyment of the sport.
ps Age does not determine developmental levels.
girls and football?
Throughout my years playing high school football I played against girls on several teams and had a girl on my own high school team. They all varied in size, strength, speed, skills, etc. These factors it seemed ultimately determined the perception of the girl on the team. The girl on my own team unfortunately could not compete with males on our team and as a result never earned the same respect or playing time as the rest of the team. Another team had a female linebacker who sacked our quarterback twice during a game and therefore earned her respect rather easily.
I think that girls should be able to compete on a males level if they so choose, but should understand the consequences that go along with it. Also, the injury argument for females may not be sufficient, in part since females have much better flexibility than males. Yes, males may be stronger, but a large number of injuries in football result from a lack of flexibility on the males part. In the end, let them play if they'd like.. and if they're good enough to play.
girls in football?
girls should be allowed to play on a boys team if there is no girls team. if there is a girls team coaches have all the right to kick girls off of the boys team but if there is no girls team they should be allowed to play.. its not fair if they don't let girls play. if u liked a sport but they didn't have a specific team for your gender how would u like it? people are totally racist thinking girls arent tough. well some arent but some are stronger than some boys too its just not fair to kick a girl off the team just because there a girl.
Title IX
Boys and girls can play on each others teams. Title 9 does not specify girls only, but both girls and boys.
Should girls and boys be allowed to play on the same team?
No. I say this because some boys are too ruff for girls; and some boys can't control their hormones.
Should girls be able to play on boys sports teams
hi, i'm courtney im 15 and im a sophomore in an illinois school. I have to do a persuasive speech for speech class and i handed out a survey asking the students if they think girls should be allowed to play on boys football and wrestling teams. Most of them (boys and girls) say that girls should not be allowed to wrestle with boys but they should be allowed to play football! Is there really a big difference between football and wrestling?! Most of the students also said that girls should be treated like a boy to an extent. Some girls said that they wouldn't want to wrestle with boys. I understand that but we should atleast have a right to choose! We have a powderpuff team (girls football team) but it is completely different from the boys team. We have 2 games where the seniors play the freshmen and the sophomores play the juniors and the winners from those games face off. Plus the boy football players coach the girls! I always go to the girls football game since we only have one and not many people show up. So what do you guys think??
Unfair
At my school, the guys can all try out for field hockey, an all girls sport. Yet when I showed up for American Football tryouts, they turned me away, saying I would get hurt, and that my skill level wasn't up to match. I hadn't even tryed out yet, so how would they know my skill level? I can run a lot faster than most guys, and I throw a perfect spiral ball further than my cousin who is older than me. I played ice hockey with the guys, up until a few years ago, so I can handle pain and the strength of a guy's tackle. So is this fair? Guys can play field hockey with the girls, but girls can't play football with the guys? Wouldn't it be "unsafe" for girls to be playing field hockey with the guys, if it were unsafe in football? A guy could probably hit the field hockey ball a lot harder than a girl, so would the girls "not be able to handle it"?
Don't Generalize
I do not think that girls should play on the same team as boys because during different sports it becomes unfair simply because boys are stronger.
However I do not like it when people generalize. Jordan, you may know some girls who would wimp out during a lacrosse game, but there are also many others who would contiue playing and maybe win. Do not think that all girls are weak, we aren't, I have known many girls that can beat boys at multiple sports without breaking a sweat. There are many girls out there who have talent, and that will often outshine strength
Consider the amount of
Consider the amount of physical contact involved. It may not be appropriate for some sports to be mixed because of the intimate touching that may be involved, and the child protection issues that this raises: for example grappling techniques in judo and wrestling.
what about homosexuality?
lets prohibet all kind sports were is contact?
In Free style and Judo girls and boys wrestling together on traning, so what wrong to compet? My doghter 9, clean out all boys under 14 in Judo and girls refuse to wrestle her at all cos there is no chance for them to bit her. Next year NSO would not aloud her to wrestle boys, coz she turns 10, so it means end for her Judo performace? is it sport development?
Who says that girls cant participate in boys sports
Girls have every right to be able to participate in boys sports. We had this girl in our grade at one time and she played football all the way from 3rd grade to 6th grade and she was the best darn player out there. If someone is good at a sport they should get to play that sport. It doesn't madder if theres a girl and a guys team or a guy on a girls team. it's a game. we have equal rights. In the bible it says that God made women Out of men. but not for the man to lead teh woman but for them to be equal. For the man to take care of the woman and the woman to take care of the man. So therefore, Girls shouls be able to participate in boys sports.
boys and girls teams were
boys and girls teams were created for reason. if we start having girls joining boys teams, then guys should be able to join girls team, if we have this happening..well..then we have 2 boys teams..they're just setting themselves up for disaster. Instead of making a big deal of how they got on the boys team, why not get the girls pumped up and make your own team. If they're good enough to get on the boys team and truly love the sport and what not, why WOULDN'T they stay on a girls team, where they would stand out and attract attention from scouts and such?
Why do the rules go one way?
I have no problems with girls playing sports that are usually played by guys, but they shouldn't be able to play with them on the same team simply because guys can't join girls teams. If I had a girl on my high school football team, but I would not be able to play field hockey or softball, how is that fair? If one sport is coed, than they should all be. I'd prefer boys and girls have completely seperate leagues for all sports once they reach passed age 12 because that would clear up any confusion.
This reminds me of Michelle Wie and Anika Sorenstam (terrible spelling, I think) and how they joined the PGA Tour one year, but would Tiger Woods be able to join the LPGA Tour? I think not. Danica Patrick? Same thing?
Girls should not be allowed
Girls should not be allowed in our sports. THEY WOULD DIE in box lacrosse which I play. They would be like "Ow. I skinned my knee!" like give me a break. GO MEN!
I teach my daugthers they
I teach my daugthers they can do anything they want. Why should sports like football be limited to be played my males only. Some time ago tennis was also restricted to males only, and look at the girls firing up the crowds now at tennis championship.
should girls play high school football?
I completly disagree that girls can't play high school football. It is just like discrimanating African-Americans because of their skin color. Girls get hurt more playing basketball than they do playing football. They won't be a distraction because they are wearing baggy clothes and pads that are huge! The cheerleaders draw more attention to the football players than the girls that play football.
i agree that girls should be allowed to play boy sports!
i think girls should be allowed because we can be just as strong n fast as boys!also its a free country and its good to try new things maybe they will turn out to be better than you thought.So dont go against my opinion!GIRLS SHOULD BE ABLE TO PLAY BOY SPORTS!
really find my OPINON
ok i think you are intialy wrong that is being very sexist towards girls and i maybe know what you mean like just say for an exsample that girls might get hurt easily because boys are ruff but listen THATS WHY THEY HAVE RULES IN FOOTBALL and girls shuld have a choice to have either they can play on an all girls team or go in an mixed team it is there choice eaquelly meaning when they start they should be able to choose
celine and ella
WHY DO THE GIRLS HAVE TO LEAVE!?
if your daughter is in a mixed football team and all players are of the same age then surley all the boys and all the girls would need to leave and an almost entirley new team created. but in all the articles i have ead the girls are expected to leave and the boys stay on so it becomes an all boys team! this seems rediculus!!
um. . . first of all america
um. . . first of all america is a free country and we have an equal society. Girls are allowed to play equallly on guys teams. It is even stated on title 9!!!! it makes sence!!!
i completly disagree with
i completly disagree with this whole thing..i believe that girls shouldnt have the right to play with men...i think its completly in-apropriate...and not right!
I agree
I agree that there should be more coed should be coed. There should be a coed team and a non coed team. I think that PE in particular should be coed.
this rule is a farce
i find my self in the same position as many other parents as my 9 year old daugther plays football with all boys the hole league is boys but she dose not want to join a all girls team she want to play with her team mates but rule will not allow her to do so how can we appeal against this and is there any chance of it being over turned as the rule is a complete farce my daughter is as strong and able as any boy in the league
girls football
whats the point of the regulation when its only to stop the girls getting injured when this is a non contact sport ie for a player to interfear with another playing they are commiting a foul this rule is absolutly ridiculous and sexest what are you scared that girls football is going to get more popular than boys and take your place on tv
girls football
My daughter has had to survive those rules and the new ones where the FA has 2 years in a row raised the age to play ladies.I managed to find a good girls team but have to travel at least 150 miles per week for training and matches (usually double that) .
Much as think the ruling needs to be as in Holland or Germany, in the short term find a good girl's team where she can play up a year and get her to a centre of excellence as quickly as possible.I did try the ethics committee at the FA but got nowhere. Check the FA website as they claim to be reviewing the problem.
MIxed football - under 12's
Dear Sir,
We find ourselves in the same predicament as Minnie Crutwell.
Our 10 year old daughter, Megan, will not be allowed to play for her local team, Milborne St. Andrew, next year, as the under 12 FA rules will apply.
How can we appeal against this short-sighted rule?
Your advice is eagerly awaited.
Regards
Malcolm Howorth
Girls Can't WHAT?
Excellent article on girls sports. I will be referring to it in future articles on my site. Thanks!
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