Winning women have a good deal to teach us

Wimbledon, with Sir Andy back on Centre Court, and a new wee superstar in the making. The women’s World Cup final, showcasing just how technically accomplished the female game has become (with a welcome dearth of histrionics and dodgy diving). Honestly, the cup ran over.

But it’s interesting to hear the American co-captain, a really great footballing talent, bemoaning the fact that while the Wimbledon women can expect a pay packet commensurate with their skill and sacrifice, the women’s footy is still a poor relation – even in the US, where women’s soccer has been big for two decades now.

What changed the fiscal landscape for the tennis gals was not a sudden attack of conscience by the blazerati – don’t be daft – but a clever campaign by the likes of Billie Jean King threatening to set up a complete rival tour if the paymasters didn’t up the ante.

As more than one chap has learned over the years, you take on BJK at your peril.

I gather that particular legend has been advising the US soccer stars behind the scenes, so that may alter the situation on the other side of the pond. But back here we have much work to do. Not least in providing grass roots opportunities for young girls to play when they’re at school.

If the women’s World Cup has taught us anything, it’s that this is one sport where size and strength play second fiddle to skill and dexterity.

One of the reasons it caught on so early in America is that so called “soccer moms” were much happier with their children being involved in that game than American football, which entailed a lot of expensive equipment and risked serious injury.

So both small boys and girls were encouraged from a young age, and the result is a national women’s soccer team full of top talent. As one commentator noted, the American reserve eleven might have lifted the cup.

It’s taken the men’s team a lot longer to catch up, partly because of the rival attractions of other sports like baseball, and partly because their initial attempts at league-building involved a lot of superannuated European “stars” rather than growing their own.

Scotland can learn from this. But only if the soccer brass use the current enthusiasm to put some serious muscle behind a drive to provide opportunities, facilities and top coaching.