Elite officiating tough for women to crack

[bainsey]

Originally Posted by Andy

In the three sports that I have been associated with, (basketball, volleyball, and softball) it seems that female officials get an opportunity due to their gender. I'm not saying that they are not good or even great officials, but only that they get an opportunity because they are female.

It exists in FIFA/USSF officiating. The man who taught my initial class said that policies allow women to move up faster than men. You may not like it, but that's the way it is. (Cue Bruce Hornsby.)

Aside to Juggling: Great link.

[Nevadaref]

Originally Posted by bainsey

It exists in FIFA/USSF officiating.

FIFA's policy for the Women's World Cup Finals is to use only female referees.
So the bias goes both ways. The men are completely shut out of the highest level of women's soccer.

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by Nevadaref

FIFA's policy for the Women's World Cup Finals is to use only female referees.
So the bias goes both ways. The men are completely shut out of the highest level of women's soccer.

Yet such a policy in the reverse would be headline news.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by Camron Rust

Yet such a policy in the reverse would be headline news.

I'm quite sure there are many, many more elite high level soccer leagues that men play in than women so I doubt it is a hinderance to male officials.

[Rich]

Elite levels are tough for anyone to crack. I'm guessing that 1% (at best ) of minor league umpires go on to get full-time gigs in MLB. And how many people go to pro school and dont get jobs? If there are 2 women going to pro school, it means odds are it would take well over 100 years for one to make it, all things being equal.

At lower levels (HS and small college levels especially), it's different. I'm sure we all have seen below-average female officials promoted and assigned ahead of better male officials when females are playing. Right, wrong, or indifferent, I'd like to see ESPNW talk about that in its article.

[Raymond]

Originally Posted by bainsey

It exists in FIFA/USSF officiating. The man who taught my initial class said that policies allow women to move up faster than men. You may not like it, but that's the way it is. (Cue Bruce Hornsby.)
...

I can actually do that. He is a regular attendee at local scholastic and AAU basketball games. He played D3 ball and his son has a D1 scholarship.

[Judtech]

Originally Posted by BadNewsRef

I can actually do that. He is a regular attendee at local scholastic and AAU basketball games. He played D3 ball and his son has a D1 scholarship.

Yes but does hehave 'The Range'?

[canuckrefguy]

These women should move to Canada, where female officials - even ones who haven't done a full season of junior college - are being promoted to top level university leagues. This is despite there being more qualified, more experienced male officials (of the same age) available. It's a joke.