Encouraging dreams

For a league challenged by falling TV ratings, concerns over players' health, safety and behavior, and the controversy over those kneeling during the US national anthem, encouraging women to pursue their football dreams sounds a positive note.

This year's event included high-profile speakers such as NFL Human Resources chief Tara Wood, NFL senior vice-president of football operations Dave Gardi, Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, Atlanta Falcons assistant general manager Scott Pioli and Minnesota Vikings chief operating officer Kevin Warren.

Canadian Football League commissioner Randy Ambrosie and Toronto Argonauts director of football operations Catherine Raiche also participated, along with Stanford University head coach David Shaw and Bryant University's James Perry.

Nine candidates had international connections including two from Britain, four Canadians and one each from Germany, Panama and Australia.

Any worries over entering an inhospitable macho world were dispelled by the natural meritocracy of the gridiron, the women said.

"I was expecting it to be overwhelming but it wasn't," Ohio's Stephanie Balochko, a defensive coordinator and player for the US women's national team, said about her coaching internship with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

"I worked with the defensive line and eventually I ran some film sessions.

"Football is football. All the players have been wonderful. I didn't run into any attitudes."

Misconception

Rapoport disputed the notion that the NFL is a bastion of male chauvinists.

"There is a misconception about the attitudes of people on our clubs," she said.

"Executives believe in the best person for the job. Forty-five percent of our fan base are women. Women love the sport here. Why in the world would they not work in it?"

While numerous women have thrived in business positions with clubs, they have been under-represented on the sidelines, Rapoport said.

"There are so many women in this country who know football. We're opening the door a little wider."

Other pro sports leagues have taken notice.

"We've had many conversations with Major League Baseball, the Canadian Football League and off-the-cuff conversations with all the major leagues," Rapoport said.

"We're working very closely with MLB to combine efforts to start to change the culture in sports in America."

Reuters