Resum
This article examines the implications for football players of the way in which women’s
sport is regularly framed within discourses of sexuality. It focuses on a premier league
football team in New Zealand comprised of both homosexually and heterosexually identified
women. Interviews with players reveal the extent to which homophobia is associated with
women’s experiences of football and is something that all players have had to confront.
While homophobia within women’s football can be reduced through the increased visibility
of lesbian players and interactions with their heterosexual team-mates, homo-negativity from
outside the team is experienced at two levels, based on irrational judgements and purposeful
intimidating behaviour directed at sportswomen.