We are Funny Women. Laughs are our thing. So we couldn’t miss the opportunity to bring you this joke of a news story.
Female footballers now have the chance to try a kickabout with the ‘Ladyball’. The Telegraph has covered this story with gusto, apparently mistaking early January for April 1st. Outrage abounds.
Here’s the promo clip:
This lurid pink sphere of sexism is shaped for ‘the unique grip of a woman’. Which I imagine they developed from hands around the throat of whoever thought this was a good idea. Silver details ‘to help you sparkle on the pitch’? What is this, Subbuteo: Barbie Edition?
Ah, sadly my rage is misplaced, as this is not real. A close look at the YouTube clip gives the game away:
“Ladyball is a concept project designed to encourage more women to play sports.”
That’s a nice idea. The execution is likely to get people’s backs up – it sure irked me. That seems to be the only way to get media attention these days. What should be a positive way to promote female sportmanship has unfortunately emerged looking a bit sexist. In the wrong way.
Hoax or otherwise, this has been very well planned. The Ladyball has its own website, Twitter account, Facebook page and YouTube channel.
From a comedy perspective, the whole project sure does make me laugh. Describing regular balls as ‘man-sized’ makes me wonder if the writers ever worked for Kleenex.
And does anyone remember the Bic pen ‘For Her’? It was similarly customised to be held comfortably by women. The only difference was that Bic genuinely made and sold this pen. I wonder how anyone resisted the urge to snap it in half.
We’ll be keeping our eye on the Ladyball (groan) to see if it all kicks off (groan).
