Image Source: WCVB
Key Takeaways
- Women’s sports are driving a movement, with pro league expansion, record attendance, and booming merchandise sales.
- Representation is key to sustaining the momentum of women’s sports.
- New spaces, such as the Sports Bra Boston, are being created to showcase women’s sports and provide a community for fans.
- Innovative gear, such as redesigned sports bras, is being developed to better serve women athletes.
- Women’s sports are no longer adapting to what exists, but are instead building what’s been missing.
Introduction to the Movement
The world of women’s sports is experiencing a significant shift, with pro league expansion, record attendance, and booming merchandise sales. As Lydia Coverdale-Perez, co-owner of the Sports Bra Boston, notes, "We’re in an exciting place, and it’s not going to turn back." This movement is not just about women’s sports having a moment, but about creating a sustainable and supportive community for female athletes and fans. According to Coverdale-Perez, "representation is the most important way that we can continue the momentum for women’s sports."
The Sports Bra Boston
The Sports Bra Boston is an expansion of the Portland-based bar founded in 2022 as the world’s first venue dedicated exclusively to women’s sports. The concept grew out of the success of founder Jenny Nguyen’s original Sports Bra, backed by investor Alexis Ohanian, and is now expanding to four new cities. The demand for such a space reflects a broader shift, with fans actively seeking spaces built specifically for women’s sports. As Coverdale-Perez says, "Boston needs a place like this," where women’s games are always on and never relegated to the background.
Redesigning the Sports Bra
Sara Falkson, founder of Robyn Athletic, is redesigning the sports bra to better serve women athletes. The former field hockey player is focusing on a design that will improve adjustability, coverage, and comfort after struggling with fit and body confidence as an athlete. She points to research showing nearly half of girls drop out of sports by age 14 due to body image issues. As Falkson notes, "there’s no rule book when it comes to creating what’s never been done." She pursued an engineering degree at Harvard to build a solution herself, driven by the mentality that "if not you, who?"
Building a Community
The Sports Bra Boston and Robyn Athletic are not isolated examples, but part of a larger movement to build what’s been missing in women’s sports. From community spaces to athletic equipment, the message is consistent: women’s sports are no longer adapting to what exists, but are instead building what’s been missing. As Falkson says, "we want to make the sports bra a piece of equipment that you feel beautiful in, but also strong." This movement is about creating a supportive community that encourages women to participate in sports and provides them with the resources they need to succeed.
The Future of Women’s Sports
The future of women’s sports looks bright, with a growing movement of fans, athletes, and entrepreneurs working to create a more supportive and inclusive community. As Coverdale-Perez notes, "we’re really in an exciting place, and it’s not going to turn back." With the expansion of the Sports Bra Boston and the development of innovative gear like the redesigned sports bra, women’s sports are poised to continue growing and thriving. As Falkson says, "we’re doing something that we have an authentic connection to and a passion for that we truly enjoy." This passion and dedication will drive the movement forward, creating a brighter future for women’s sports.
https://www.wcvb.com/article/womens-sports-growth-boston-sports-bra/69939880