There will be a Sydney Swans AFLW team in the 2022-23 season

[joeykanga]

'I fell into it': Footy a family affair for Bronwyn Gulden

Here's a feature piece on one of the girls' academy assistant coaches (and Swans VIP in a broader sense).

Great article …I wonder if she has an interest in the AFLW side coaching role
I imagine the Swans will hopefully give an opportunity to a female coach

[Meg]

'I fell into it': Footy a family affair for Bronwyn Gulden

Here's a feature piece on one of the girls' academy assistant coaches (and Swans VIP in a broader sense).

No wonder the Gulden junior family members are an impressive lot with a role-model mother like this - what a woman!

I love that she fulfilled one of her dreams by making her footy playing debut this year - she surely is at least 40yo (noting Adam and Errol’s ages)?

This also made me laugh:

"It's been a bit tricky watching him (Errol) on tv, but he's living his best life down there (Melbourne) and he assures us he misses us, but I'm not entirely sure.”

Lol, I’ve suspected that lockdown ‘bubble’ footy both last year and this has been tough on the older players (particularly those with families and home commitments) - and a ball of fun for the young guys!

[neilfws]

No wonder the Gulden junior family members are an impressive lot with a role-model mother like this - what a woman!

I love that she fulfilled one of her dreams by making her footy playing debut this year - she surely is at least 40yo (noting Adam and Errol’s ages)?

I believe she is 55. What an inspiration! Never too late.

Bron's childhood dream realised

[Meg]

I believe she is 55. What an inspiration! Never too late.

Bron's childhood dream realised

You’re right - from that article: ‘She proved age is all but a number when last month she made her football debut at 55-years of age for the UNSW Bulldogs reserves side in the AFL Sydney league.’

Truly amazing!

[mcs]

Further good news for both the Swans teams with the announcement today that the Swans HQ project is back on Sydney Swans HQ at the Royal Hall of Industries

[Ludwig]

I find it upsetting how medical evidence of the dangers of women playing football have been ignored. Women are physiologically much more vulnerable to getting concussion than men are, and the damage caused by concussion in women is also worse. There are other health risks which are greater for women playing contact sports. Women should be discouraged from playing sports with a high incidence of concussion.

For those who an interested in this subject, I suggest listening to this podcast from Nature Magazine

Audio long-read: why sports concussions are worse for women

[bloodspirit]

I find it upsetting how medical evidence of the dangers of women playing football have been ignored. Women are physiologically much more vulnerable to getting concussion than men are, and the damage caused by concussion in women is also worse. There are other health risks which are greater for women playing contact sports. Women should be discouraged from playing sports with a high incidence of concussion.

For those who an interested in this subject, I suggest listening to this podcast from Nature Magazine

Audio long-read: why sports concussions are worse for women

Thanks for sharing this informative article, Ludwig.

I don't agree that "Women should be discouraged from playing sports with a high incidence of concussion." To me that feels paternalistic. I think the key is to provide the best available information and let everyone make informed choices. Life is full of risk and it is important to think about the costs and risks and also the benefits. However, I do agree that there should be more research, education, and more concerted efforts given to managing the incidence and treatment of these injuries.

[Ludwig]

Thanks for sharing this informative article, Ludwig.

I don't agree that "Women should be discouraged from playing sports with a high incidence of concussion." To me that feels paternalistic. I think the key is to provide the best available information and let everyone make informed choices. Life is full of risk and it is important to think about the costs and risks and also the benefits. However, I do agree that there should be more research, education, and more concerted efforts given to managing the incidence and treatment of these injuries.

It's easy to be tricked into labeling any denial of equality to women as sexist or paternalistic, but we have to recognize that there are real physiological differences between men and women that can end in a lack of consideration of women's health and safety. So what may seem as equality is really discriminatory. This is such a case. The science has shown that women are more vulnerable to any number of injuries when high impact sports.

IMO, women's professional football is a commercial exploitation of women in disregard of their safety. Why don't we just follow the science? That's what we tell the anti-vaxxers when it comes to Covid.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I don't agree and I've made my POV clear above - but don't you think the real physiological differences should be a factor to be considered by the woman in question?

[Ludwig]

I don't agree and I've made my POV clear above - but don't you think the real physiological differences should be a factor to be considered by the woman in question?

Yes, of course. I'm all for freedom to choose. But I don't feel that enough has been done by the sporting authorities to make women aware of the risks associated by playing football. If they know they have twice the risk of getting concussion than men do and the effects of brain trauma are even worse, and they still want to play, then go for it.

[goswannies]

ACLs a definite higher incidence (and that’s without playing AFL into the equation). The concern I have for concussion and ACLs is that male players have been involved with litigation relating to previous concussion. If there is a population that innately has an increased risk, does this pose a litigious risk in future? Not a reason not to play, but just a point of interest.

[Ludwig]

ACLs a definite higher incidence (and that’s without playing AFL into the equation). The concern I have for concussion and ACLs is that male players have been involved with litigation relating to previous concussion. If there is a population that innately has an increased risk, does this pose a litigious risk in future? Not a reason not to play, but just a point of interest.

You can hear the claimants' lawyers arguing that the AFL knew there was an inherent higher risk of injury, but did nothing about it. I like the payout chances of the brain damaged women. Solid case.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Yes, of course. I'm all for freedom to choose. But I don't feel that enough has been done by the sporting authorities to make women aware of the risks associated by playing football. If they know they have twice the risk of getting concussion than men do and the effects of brain trauma are even worse, and they still want to play, then go for it.

We are in agreement in this issue - if a situation is made clear (to me that's always THE issue), then on their head be it.

You can hear the claimants' lawyers arguing that the AFL knew there was an inherent higher risk of injury, but did nothing about it. I like the payout chances of the brain damaged women. Solid case.

I've always regarded Dicks comment in Henry VI, Part 2, Act IV, Scene 2 as lacking in ambition.

[Ludwig]

I've always regarded Dicks comment in Henry VI, Part 2, Act IV, Scene 2 as lacking in ambition.

About killing the lawyers?

[dejavoodoo44]

About killing the lawyers?

It would make an interesting court case.