Where next for girls’ sports in high school?

In conversation with Coaches Greco and Miano

Yasmine O, New York New Jersey

Coach Greco is the women’s soccer coach and Coach Miano is the women’s flag football and softball coach at a high school in Staten Island, New York City. In this interview they speak with Youth Media Forward participant Yasmine about breakthroughs in women’s sports and the work still ahead.

Interviewer (Yasmine): Thank you both for taking the time to speak with me today Coach Greco and Coach Miano. You are both such important figures in this school's history with sports, and more specifically our women's sports. I’d like to start by asking, what are your thoughts on the current state of women’s sports, particularly in terms of visibility and support?

Coach Greco: It’s a pleasure to be here. I think we’ve made significant strides in recent years. Women’s sports are gaining more visibility, and the support from our high school fanbases has been incredible. However, there's still a long way to go in terms of making sure everybody is making a difference, if they are on the playing field or not.

Coach Miano: I agree. The progress is evident and prevalent, but the disparity is still quite stark. We need more investment in women's sports at all levels, from the grassroots up to professional leagues. This is so that hard working female athletes get the recognition and support they deserve.

Yasmine: Can you share a moment in your experience of women's sports that has stood out for you?

Coach Miano: One of my most memorable experiences was the first year that our school introduced flag football, as a new sport for women athletes. I remember noticing that at our opening game day, we did not have half the amount of the supporters/media coverage, whereas the boys’ basketball opening game had bleachers filled out and everyone was posting about it. As a coach and advisor for many women athletes, we see how much these girls deserve much more than what they’re getting recognized for. It’s time for a change.

Coach Greco: An experience that sticks out to me is during the final game of our soccer championship. It was the first time in my soccer career coaching where our team made it to finals. One of my players was transitioning into a male, and they wanted to wear long sleeves under their uniform, which is of course allowed through the PSAL (Public Schools Athletics League). But one of the referees had a problem with it and did not allow them to play.

Yasmine: And how do you feel about the representation of women in coaching and leadership roles within sports?

Coach Greco: Representation is crucial, especially at a time like this where social media is so huge. Having more women in coaching and leadership roles not only provides role models for young athletes but also brings diverse perspectives to the decision-making process. Unfortunately, women are still underrepresented in these positions. Although I do think we’ll see immense progress happening in the next five years in the world of womens’ sports because there is already so much progress underway.

Coach Miano: Absolutely. It’s essential to create pathways for women to advance into these roles. Mentorship programs and leadership training can help, but we also need to address the systemic barriers that prevent women from reaching these positions.

Yasmine: And building on that, what do you see as some of those systemic barriers - what are some of the pressing human rights issues facing female athletes?

Coach Greco: One is equal pay. Female athletes often receive significantly less compensation than their male counterparts, even when they achieve similar or greater success. This is a clear human rights issue that needs to be addressed.

Coach Miano: Another critical issue is the lack of adequate facilities and resources. Female athletes frequently have to make do with subpar training facilities equipment, which can hinder their performance and development. Ensuring equal access to high-quality resources is essential for promoting fairness and equality in sports.

Yasmine: What steps do you think can be taken to address these issues and promote equality in sports?

Coach Greco: Advocacy and awareness are key. It’s so important to highlight issues that will frankly only be solved with awareness through relevant media. We need to continue to highlight these disparities and push for policy changes at all levels. Additionally, supporting organizations and initiatives that promote women's sports can make a significant difference.

Coach Miano: Education is also vital. Educating young athletes, coaches, and administrators about the importance of equality and human rights in sports can help create a more inclusive environment. Encouraging more women to pursue careers in sports, both on and off the field, will also help drive change.

Yasmine: Thank you both for your insights. Do you have any final thoughts on how we can all contribute to a more equitable sports world?

Coach Greco: Everyone can play a part, whether it’s supporting women’s sports teams or simply raising awareness about these issues. Every action, every word counts.

Coach Miano: It’s about creating a culture of respect and equality, both within sports and in society as a whole. By working together, we can make a real difference, building from the past, in the present, and moving into the future.

Yasmine O is a New York City based participant in Youth Media Forward: meet the New York New Jersey participants here