Opinion: With NY Liberty win, school athletics programs must get off the bench for gender equity

The WNBA Championship-winning New York Liberty have electrified enthusiasm for women’s sports. From skyrocketing home game attendance to the most beloved mascot in the country – Ellie the Elephant – the Liberty have given New York sports fans something to cheer about. Their big win over the Lynx this weekend is a triumph – for the team, for New York City and for women and girls everywhere.

Yet here in New York City, our public school athletic programs have frequently fallen short in delivering true gender equity. For years, we’ve seen how the execution of Title IX – which mandates equity in federally-funded school programs and activities – has faltered, often leaving female athletes without the resources, facilities and support they need to thrive. In 2006, then-Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum released a report highlighting these disparities and the systemic issues that plague school athletics. Despite some progress, many of the problems identified in that report still exist today. The Liberty’s huge victory is a perfect opportunity to demand change.

Participating in a sport has tremendous benefits for all students. Kids who play on a school sports team learn teamwork, sportsmanship and self-confidence, while staying active and healthy. Studies have also shown that students on teams perform better academically, with particular benefits for women and girls.

The Public School Athletic League is obligated to provide equitable sports opportunities for boys and girls, but the availability of teams and opportunity vary widely from school to school. Moreover, the public advocate’s 2006 report found that many girls’ sports were scheduled in the off-season; smaller schools, in particular, generally had more opportunities for boys than girls.

In 2022, the Public School Athletics League launched “All-Access,” a program that promised universal access to all sports for every student, especially those at smaller schools. The program allowed students at schools without certain sports teams to try out at nearby schools. This was a significant step, particularly for smaller schools serving Black and Brown students, who have historically had less access to available teams.

But just a year after the “All-Access” program was launched, it was scaled back and rebranded as merely “Access,” restricting it to students located in “targeted districts.” These targets have not yet been identified by the Department of Education or the Public School Athletics League, and the change effectively moves the goalposts from universal guaranteed access to a more limited scope. The city should reinstate and expand the “All-Access” program, ensuring that it includes dedicated resources for girls’ sports. With this kind of targeted and sustained effort, we can encourage more young women to participate in school athletic programs.

This year, the state allocated $4.2 million for youth sports in New York City, but transparency and fairness in how those funds are spent is crucial. Some of this funding should be set aside to specifically bolster women’s sports programs in schools. This could include funding for coaching, equipment, uniforms and team travel costs. By prioritizing these investments, we can help level the playing field for female athletes.

In addition, many New York City families don’t have access to low-cost or free childcare after the school day ends. Expanded access to afterschool programs could also significantly increase opportunities for girls in sports. These programs provide safe, structured environments where girls can explore various athletic opportunities. By integrating sports into afterschool curricula, we would enhance public health, promote resilience and self-esteem, and ensure students have supervision during the hours in which youth-involved crime is most likely to occur.

Generations of New York’s women and girls (along with plenty of men and boys) have been waiting for a moment when accomplishments in professional women’s sports are finally given the recognition they deserve. The Liberty’s victory can serve as an inspiration to push for more equity in school sports. Our goal must be for every student, regardless of gender, to have access to high quality athletic experiences.