“You don’t look like a cricketer!!”

I’ve heard so many variations of this phrase that I just chuckle and smile when I hear it these days. Truth be told, I could not imagine how the ‘daddy’s little girl’ who stayed up till 3 am to watch him play dominos, who followed him to every cricket game, and who watched him play table tennis, could turn out any other way. I remember my mother calling out to my father one day “Eloi!! come and see your little boy” after I took my neighbor’s bicycle out for a spin one Saturday morning. The day would end with some street cricket with all the men and boys in Case “O” Gowrie and one little girl whom no one could seem to get out.

More than a decade later, sometimes I still wish I was born a boy. The reason is that although there has been a significant narrowing in the gap between women and men in sports, and women have become more competitive even eclipsing their male counterparts, the disparity in appreciation and reward remains so obvious.

I cannot remember a time when I didn’t play sports. In primary school, I played netball (only because cricket and football were “boys sports”). In high school, I was the one to beat in table tennis. Later on, I mustered the courage to finally try hard-ball cricket and I haven’t looked back since! The journey has been a roller-coaster, but I always remain grateful for the experiences that my sporty lifestyle has given me. Sometimes that meant not having sponsors to cover my expenses to get to major table tennis competitions, or playing regional cricket matches with worn-out uniforms that were always a size too big (probably because they belonged to the male cricketers before). The joy of being able to compete and win made it all worthwhile. The thrill of leading the Dominica Women’s Cricket Team to their first-ever regional win will forever remain etched in my memory.

Outside of the sporting world in the workforce, women continue to be treated as second class citizens. The fight for equal pay for actresses, CEOs, managers, etc. continues and the same is true for women who choose sports as a career. Women work just as hard, we get the qualifications, we train, we do everything that is required of us, and sometimes more. In an ideal world, we should be rewarded the same way, we should be given the same opportunities and we should be treated as equals. This however is not the case.

In the field of cricket, for example, boys have an opportunity to compete with their peers at the under 15 (U-15), U-17, U-19, and in recent times U-23 level, allowing them to grow and develop their skills as they age. In my experience as a female cricketer, we are thrown into women’s teams with little or no training and are expected to produce the same results. Moving forward, the goal should be to give women the opportunity to compete at the same stages as men by creating equal opportunities. Simone Biles said after the 2016 Olympics “I’m not the next Usain Bolt or Michael Phelps. I’m the first Simone Biles.” A statement that embodies the idea that as professional sportswomen, we should be allowed to forge our own identities and create our own stories as we continue to pour our heart and soul into doing what we love.

So does sex really matter in sports?

In a 2014 winter Olympics debut of the women’s ski jump event, a Russian men’s ski jump coach had this to say “Women have another purpose — to have children, to do housework, to create hearth and home”. If you rolled your eyes at this, you are not alone. The notion that the role of a woman is to be a homemaker is unfortunately too familiar to those of us who have different ideas for our lives. Certainly, we know that our bodies are capable of doing so much more than bearing children, and these hands can cook a delicious meal and hit a ball for 6 runs too – but I digress. While we are not seeking to run with Usain Bolt or to play alongside Jason Holder, there is nothing in our anatomy or physiology that makes us less capable of doing what men do.

Our experiences shape us and make us who we are. Being a sportswoman over the years has added so much value to my life and has made me a better person in so many ways. From a timid 12-year-old trembling with a racket in her hand to being captain of an entire cricket team, growth is the word that describes my journey in sports so far. I have learned discipline; the art of setting goals and doing the work necessary to achieve them regardless of any obstacles in my way. Winning tournaments whilst maintaining an A average in academics has helped me become more adept at managing my time and resources. Having the opportunity to experience different cultures and network with people from all over the world has broadened my perspectives and made me realize that we sportswomen face the same struggles. I have learned the importance of good leadership, flexibility, and the value of being prepared for anything. Most of all I have made lasting irreplaceable friendships.

To all the women and girls who are considering a career in sports, I say go for it! Every professional was once a novice and all it takes is making that decision to start. Start where you are, start with what you have, take a leap of faith, set your personal goals, and work towards them. Love what you do – there will be moments when you will feel like quitting. It is easy to get caught up in the process – the long hours, injuries, and setbacks but the key is to always remember why you started in the first place.

Here are some tips that can help you along the way:

1. Be willing to learn – You do not know it all. Be open to learning from others with more knowledge and experience.
2. Make time to practice and do so regularly.
3. Have fun with it and enjoy the process.
4. Always give your best effort.
5. Do your part to improve the sport for future generations.

Remember it is always better to try than to regret the chances you didn’t take. In the words of Olympian Natasha Hastings, “You’ll never know what you’re capable of until you take that first step and just go for it.”

About the Author

Gem Eloi hails from the beautiful village of La Plaine, Dominica. She attended the Convent High School at the tender age of 10 after obtaining a scholarship at the Common Entrance Examinations. She graduated with awards for Biology and Physical Education and was dubbed one of Dominica’s “Best Brains” by the Sun Newspaper after excelling at the CSEC examinations.

Gem continued her education at the Dominica State College with a triple major in Chemistry, Biology, and Spanish. She graduated with honors and received the Most Outstanding Spanish Student Award. She returned to her Alma Mata where she taught Science, Chemistry, and Physical Education before attending the Midwestern State University where she obtained a BSc. in Biology (Hons) with a Minor in Psychology. During her short stint at MSU, she was a member of the Tri-Beta, Tau Sigma, and National Collegiate honor societies and served as the Caribbean Students Organization Sports Committee Chair.

Known for her beauty, brains, and bragging rights, Gem is an avid sportswoman who has represented her island in both table tennis and cricket, serving as Captain in both sporting disciplines. She was recently selected on the Windward Islands Women’s Cricket Team as a top-order batswoman. In her spare time, she enjoys baking and nature activities.