The Unsung Heroes of Women’s Sports: Why It’s Time to Break the Mold

By: On The Record Team

Why Women’s Underrepresented Sports Deserve More Space

At On The Record, we believe stories have power. Stories create change. And when it comes to women’s sports, there are so many untold and underrepresented stories that deserve our attention.

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Take a moment to think about the endurance it takes for a ballerina to rehearse for 12 hours or for a rugby player to go head-to-head in a full-contact match. Women in these fields are pushing the boundaries of what we think of as athleticism, but far too often, their stories are overshadowed by the glitz and coverage of mainstream sports.

Let’s shine a light on the grit, strength, and artistry of these athletes—and why it’s time we make more space for them.

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Dance: A Masterclass in Grit and Grace

Dance may look effortless on stage, but it’s one of the most physically demanding disciplines in the world. Dancers spend hours refining technique, stamina, and strength to deliver flawless performances.

A systematic review published in 2024, titled “Strength and Conditioning in Dance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis,” revealed that implementing strength and conditioning interventions significantly improved physical qualities in dancers. The study recommends additional training sessions to optimize fitness and dance performance.

What does this tell us? Dance isn’t just an art form—it’s a full-body sport. And yet, dancers often face barriers like limited funding, access to resources, and the perception that their craft isn’t “serious” enough to be considered athletic.

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But dancers push through these challenges with resilience, showing us what it truly means to blend grit and grace.

Rugby, Weightlifting, and the Fight for Representation

Dance is just one of many women’s sports that rarely get their due. Rugby, synchronized swimming, and roller derby are just as demanding, yet they battle stereotypes that minimize their importance.

Women’s Rugby
Let’s talk about rugby—a full-contact sport requiring strength, speed, and mental toughness. Women’s rugby often fights for visibility, but athletes like Ilona Maher are leading the charge.

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After her Olympic success in rugby sevens, Ilona made waves in 2025 by transitioning to 15s rugby with the Bristol Bears, drawing record-breaking crowds. Off the field, she’s amplifying women’s sports with her Beast, Beauty, Brainscampaign, which reminds us that female athletes are multidimensional—strong, confident, and intelligent.

In her words:
“Being an athlete isn’t just about what you do on the field. It’s about how you carry yourself in life. That’s what Beast, Beauty, Brains is all about—showing that women can dominate in every arena.”


Synchronized Swimming
Synchronized swimming is far more than glittery swimsuits and perfect smiles—it’s a grueling test of athleticism, precision, and teamwork. Athletes spend hours mastering choreography, holding their breath for over a minute while performing demanding routines. It’s a sport that combines cardiovascular endurance, core strength, and extreme focus.

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In fact, synchronized swimmers train in ways that rival—and even surpass—those of elite swimmers. They endure leg cramping, exhaustion from long periods underwater, and the mental stamina required to synchronize flawlessly with teammates. Yet, the sport often gets dismissed as “too aesthetic” or “just for show.”

The question is: why? Why do we trivialize a sport that exemplifies such extreme discipline and skill?

Weightlifting
Often considered a male-dominated space, women’s weightlifting has grown immensely, especially with athletes like Katherine Nye, a silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, inspiring new generations.

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Weightlifting is more than just brute strength. It’s about precision, balance, and technique. Athletes train to execute lifts like the snatch and clean and jerk, pushing their physical and mental limits.

Despite their achievements, female weightlifters often struggle against outdated stereotypes. They’re dismissed as “too masculine” or told they don’t fit society’s ideals of femininity. But these athletes are proving that strength comes in all forms—and that women belong at the top of the podium.

The Women Changing the Game

Women like Ilona Maher are proving that underrepresented sports don’t just deserve a seat at the table—they demand it. Ilona’s Beast, Beauty, Brains campaign goes beyond rugby. It’s about creating a cultural shift: celebrating women as powerful, multi-faceted athletes.

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Her success isn’t just about her personal achievements; it’s about what she’s making possible for the next generation of girls who want to pick up a rugby ball—or choose any sport that speaks to them.

How You Can Make a Difference

Change doesn’t happen overnight, but we can all play a role in amplifying women’s sports.

  • Support initiatives like Ilona’s campaign: Follow, share, and donate to efforts that champion female athletes.
  • Show up: Attend events like women’s rugby matches, dance performances, and roller derby bouts. Your ticket makes a difference.
  • Advocate for visibility: Use your voice to demand better media coverage for women’s sports and call for more sponsorship opportunities.
  • Challenge stereotypes: Talk about the athleticism and endurance behind these sports and encourage others to rethink outdated assumptions.

What’s Next? Let’s Reimagine Sports Together

At the heart of it, women’s sports are about more than competition. They’re about breaking barriers, redefining strength, and inspiring future generations.

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Think about the little girl watching Ilona Maher play rugby, or the aspiring dancer who dreams of taking center stage. What kind of world could we create if these athletes had the same visibility and resources as their mainstream counterparts?

The time is now. Let’s make space for these incredible athletes. Share their stories. Watch their games. Cheer them on.

What women’s sport inspires you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to subscribe to On The Record for more stories celebrating women breaking the mold. Together, we can amplify their voices and change the game.

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