2023 was a remarkable year for women’s sports. From momentous moments on the field to breakthroughs on the field, this year has been full of ups and downs for women in the sports ecosystem. Deloitte research predicts that the women’s elite sport will generate more than $1 billion in revenue for the first time in history in 2024, which is 300% higher than her 2021 predictions and the women’s industry. The future looks positive.
As we prepare for 2024, let’s take a look back at some of the most important developments in women’s sports from 2023 and beyond.
– Australia beats South Africa to win Women’s T20 World Cup: Australia, led by Meg Lanning, defeated hosts South Africa in the final by 19 points to win the tournament for the sixth time and third consecutive year. It will be the last ICC title for Lanning, the most decorated player in world cricket, to lift with the Australian team, given that he shocked the world with his shocking retirement announcement in November.
– India wins 1st Women’s U-19 T20 World Cup: India won their first ICC title in women’s cricket as a group of bright and talented teenagers opened the inaugural Under-19 World Cup with a huge seven-wicket win over England. Shafali Verma’s India U-19 team managed to do what their seniors couldn’t by clearing the final hurdle of the global event. India first suppressed England for 68 in 17.1 overs and then came back to smash a paltry target in 14 overs to lift the coveted trophy.
– Coco Gauff wins US Open: Gauff’s US Open victory was the first by an American teenager in more than 20 years, since tennis legend Serena Williams won the title in 1999. This historic match was watched by 3.4 million people and broke all kinds of records. Broadcaster ESPN drew 2.3 million viewers, more than 1 million more than the men’s final that saw Novak Djokovic win his 24th Grand Slam singles title and set a modern Grand Slam record. .
– Spain beats England to win first FIFA Women’s World Cup, Rubiales fiasco unfolds: Spain defeated England 1-0 to become the latest country to win the coveted world championship. But the focus completely shifted from the exploits of Las Rojas, in which Spanish federation president Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips. The episode snowballed into a major investigation into his conduct. This was in response to allegations of mental harassment against coach Jorge Vilda. Mr. Wilda was sacked and Mr. Rubiales was ultimately banned by FIFA from any football-related activity for three years. 1,977,824 fans attended the showcase in person, making it the most attended Women’s World Cup in history, surpassing the previous record of 1,353,506 set in Canada in 2015. When Australia played England in the semi-final in Sydney, it was on the front lines of the world. The home stadium was packed with 75,784 fans. ”
– Sarina Wiegmann speaks on behalf of the Spanish women’s team at the UEFA Awards. Months before any specific investigation or action was launched against Rubiales, England women’s football team head coach Sarina Wigman won the UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year award, which she shared with the World Cup-winning Spanish women’s team. Dedicated to the team at the Grimaldi Forum. Principality of Monaco. After receiving the award, Wiegman said, “Everyone knows the problems surrounding the Spanish team. As a coach, as a mother of two daughters, as a wife, and as a human being, it really hurts my heart.” “This team deserves to be celebrated and listened to,” Wiegman told the audience at the Grimaldi Forum. “I want to give them a big round of applause again. I hope you’ll join us. “There is,” he said.
– NCAA game becomes the most attended game in history – Attending more than 92,000 fans, five-time NCAA women’s volleyball champion Nebraska dominated Omaha 3-0 in front of the largest crowd in the history of a women’s sporting event. This world record beats the previous record of 91,648 set in Spain in 2022 when FC Barcelona played against Wolfsburg in a Champions League match. It also broke the U.S. attendance record, which had been uncontested since the 1999 Women’s World Cup in Pasadena, California, when the United States faced the People’s Republic of China.
– Transfers of the Year – Hayes to USWNT: The U.S. Soccer Federation announced the appointment of Emma Hayes as the 10th full-time head coach in the history of the U.S. Women’s National Team. Hayes, 47, was the longtime head coach of Chelsea FC, one of Europe’s most successful women’s teams, and began her coaching career in the United States at the start of the 2000s. will take command. USWNT. Hayes will become the highest-paid women’s soccer coach in the world, according to a statement from U.S. Soccer.
– New organization for women’s football in England: Women’s football in England will be run by an independent body from next year rather than the Football Association, with the aim of setting new standards for the game. The Women’s Super League and Division 2 Women’s Championship clubs will operate under NewCo, whose first chief executive will be former investment banker and Nike executive Nicky Doucet.
– Sheetal Devi’s rise to the top: Armless archer Sheetal Devi made headlines in October after winning three medals at the Asian Para Games. The 16-year-old from Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir was born with a disease called phocomelia, which causes underdeveloped limbs. Without her arms she learned how to use a bow and arrow using her legs, and she began full-time training in archery just two years ago. A video of her attaching her bow and using her right foot and mouth to stabilize her equipment before filming her perfect 10 seconds went viral. From celebrities to politicians, praise poured in for this girl’s resilience and her talent, ultimately leading her to finish the year as the No. 1 shooter in open compounds.
– Simone Biles returns to competition: Simone Biles announced her return in June, won her eighth individual all-around title at the U.S. Championships in August, and made a successful return to the world stage at Antwerp in October, winning her sixth individual world championship title. . We also added gold medals for team, floor exercise, and balance beam. She currently has a total of 30 medals in the world, gold medals being her 23, and it looks like she’s going full steam ahead towards the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
– The wrestler will be competing against Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh. The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI), which has been the subject of the year’s biggest controversy related to India, has entered 2023 with uncertainty. In January, WFI president Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh was accused of sexually harassing several female wrestlers, including minors. , sparking protests by several prominent wrestlers in the country. The list includes Vinesh Phogat, Sakshi Malik, Bajrang Punia and Ravi Dahiya, who took to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding Singh’s resignation and WFI disbandment. collected. A new WFI election was held in December, and Sanjay Singh, the candidate supported by Brij Bhushan, was elected as the new president. Protests continued. Sakshi announced his retirement and Bajrang returned the Padma Shri award.
– Indian women dominate red-ball cricket: Indian women’s cricket played Test cricket for the first time in over 800 days, playing against England and Australia in quick succession. This marked Harmanpreet Kaur’s debut as Test captain. India defeated England by 347 runs, their first win against an opponent in this format on home soil, and the biggest victory in the history of the women’s game in terms of runs. India followed that up with an eight-wicket win over Australia.
– Uncapped players dominate WPL Season 2 auction: Auction for the second season of the Women’s Premier League saw uncapped Indian players Kashvi Gautam and Brinda Dinesh smiling as they headed to the bank as they took top honors at the WPL auction in Mumbai, taking home Rs 2,000 crore. (Gujarat Giants) and attracted bids of Indian Rupees. 1.3 billion each (UP Warriorz).
– Cricket goes to the Olympics: Cricket was included as part of the 1900 Paris Olympics, with only two teams competing for medals: Great Britain and France. This year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially recognized cricket as an Olympic sport, along with baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash, and it will be competed at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Games.
– Legacy of LA’s “Ace”: The Las Vegas Aces defeated the New York Liberty 70-69 in Game 4 of the Finals to win their second consecutive WNBA title. A’ja Wilson had 24 points and 16 rebounds as the A’s rallied from a 12-point deficit in Brooklyn to become the first team in more than 20 years to repeat as champions.