A Woman in Men’s Sport

She is one of the best basketball players in the world and the only Belarusian playing in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is the best frontcourt of World and European Championships in 2010. Yelena Leuchanka tells about women’s way in men’s sphere, i.e. professional basketball. 

It may happen that an avocation turns out to be in the sphere, which the society has allocated for the other gender. In that case an individual has to overcome the stereotypes and that is not at all easy.  Male hairstylists and teachers and female soldiers and sports practitioners had to go through that struggle. Ambitiousness, assertiveness, determination and will-to-win spirit have traditionally been seen as men’s qualities. Anecdotal evidence may be ruined by the story of a Belarusian girl Yelena Leuchanka, who has comprehensively realized her potential in a genuine men’s ambiance, i.e. in professional basketball. 

Presently, Yelena Leuchanka plays at frontcourt position. She plays for the Atlanta Dream in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) and Chinese Liaoning.  She participated in Beijing Olympic Games and European Championships in 2007, 2009 and 2011. 

On childhood 

In her childhood a future sportswoman faced misunderstanding in her family as to her potential occupational choice. 

Yelena: I was always a tall girl. My mother has developed a theory, according to which I would be even taller, if I go in for sports. Therefore, at first I practiced dances and then played the piano, making my mother most happy. But once school physical exercises instructor suggested that I should try basketball, given that I was so tall. 
  
I began attending training sessions. Gradually they grew on me and I realized that it is mine. When the teams were set up I was always nominated into the team, where I felt needed. On the one hand, I have had my mother’s willingness to see me dancing and playing piano, but on the other hand, there was the basketball, not at all a female sport, but the one, where I found myself. That resulted in family conflicts, when my mother was arguing that I would be even taller, while my father took my side by saying: “Much good may it do her!” 

The feeling that she had made the right choice was punching Yelena up in overcoming barriers on her own way. But from time to time she had to make sacrifices and do what her mother wanted. 

Yelena: I remember the moment, when two years were left to my graduating from a musical school but I had to go to a basketball competition. My mother was standing at the doorway not letting me go. Now I realize that being a child at that time I could give up. But I traded off by saying that I would definitely graduate from the musical school but then she would be obliged to let me play basketball. I did graduate from it and handed my mother the certificate. 

Her childhood and schooling Yelena spent in the city of Gomel.  When she was fourteen, she was invited to the School of Olympic Reserve in Minsk.  At seventeen she left for the United States for studying and playing basketball professionally.  Sportswoman is grateful to her parents for giving her a chance for a choice. 

On personal qualities 
  
Going in for sports has helped the girl to develop necessary features for going on with her favourite pursuit against all the odds. 

Yelena: Basketball might be seen as men’s sport but it has inspired me with great confidence, efficacy and durability.  When the game is over, I experience a sense of satisfaction. I feel charged with adrenalin, even when I am run into the ground and wiped out, and still I feel my heart’s ease from the work done.    It is not at all easy. It means a lot of travelling and staying in hotels but at the end of the day I may say that I am on the right track.  This is what I wanted to have. 

On gender stereotypes in sports 

With the course of time presence of women in sports becomes less and less surprising. 

Yelena: It was easier for men than women to make a career in sports twenty or thirty years ago. But the time has changed and women become nations’ presidents and company heads.  However, sports have been more popular among men than women.   

Men’s basketball may look more spectacular. But if girls could flush, it won’t be definite that people would prefer men’s to women’s matches. Even now there are enough girls in women’s basketball who can slam dunk.   

Historically, there have been stereotypes restricting development of women’s sports. They have been the reason for insufficient attention to women’s sports from spin doctors, boomers, marketing managers and organizers of sports’ events. As a result, women’s sports turn out to be by several times less popular and profitable than men’s sports. 

Yelena: There is an enormous inequality in sports, which is reflected in huge difference in remuneration in men’s and women’s sports.  I am very upset by the lack of attention to women’s sports from companies. They pay more attention to men’s sports in marketing and advertising. Even if they advert to women’s sports, they often forget to show that we, sportswomen are ladylike.   

Women’s basketball is less profitable, because traditionally it has been paid less attention to.  

Yelena: It’s a pity that in women’s NBA only one team earns money, i.e. the team, which wins. They pay us salaries. However, if the current situation were thoroughly reviewed, it would become clear that men’s basketball generates much more money because it is much better parlayed. For instance, teams in the men’s league earn good money as a result of effective and efficient PR and marketing, selling of tickets and advertising. 

People have to get used to new realities. They have to face the truth and drop old stereotypes towards men and women. 

Yelena: People have taken it for granted that women in sports are usually tennis and volleyball players. A beautiful woman playing basketball causes astonishment because the stereotype “a female basketball player looks like a man” turns wrong. Because of my height I am often asked in the US whether I play tennis or volleyball. When I answer that I play basketball, there is a surprise. Americans have got a stereotype that manlike women play basketball.