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‘Tomboy’ Documentary Shows How Far Women Still Have To Go For Gender Equality In Sports

A candid exploration of the social and institutional barriers female athletes still face today

Jeremy Repanich
By Jeremy RepanichMar 09, 2017
Jeremy Repanich
Jeremy Repanich is a contributing editor at Good Sports. The Los Angeles-based writer's work has appeared in reputable and disreputable publications alike. Email story tips to jeremy-media (at) goodinc (dot) com
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While women’​s sports participation has doubled over the last 40 years, women still lag behind their male counterparts in both participation and pay equity. A new documentary, Tomboy, by NBC Sports explores these reasons through conversations with stars like Tobin Heath, Lindsey Vonn, Mo’​ne Davis, and Billie Jean King.

Athletes share how both institutional and social barriers affect them. Not all of the problems women athletes face are about lack of opportunity; some problems are about dealing with stigmas associated with female athleticism and femininity.

“We want to have the best of both worlds. I want to be able to play with Barbies, I want to be able to play dress up, and I also want to be able to go outside and pitch a 77-mph softball,” says fastpitch softball star Monica Abbott.

The one-hour documentary premieres this month, on NBC-owned regional sports networks around the country, with re-airings throughout March. It will make it’s national debut on NBC Sports on March 30.

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