NTU's Dr. Ali Bowes comments on Netflix women's sport documentary

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) women are experts in their field, which is why Senior Lecturer School of Science & Technology Dr. Ali Bowes provided expert commentary for the Netflix documentary Game On: The Unstoppable Rise of Women's Sport.

"Great to see Dr Ali Bowes providing expert view throughout this new Netflix documentary. Game On: The Unstoppable Rise of Women's Sport celebrates the accomplishments of women athletes, while challenging the stark inequalities they face," shared NTU.

Myths that prevent gender equality in sport

Game On is a powerful documentary that explores the recent growth in women’s sport and its impact across society.

Available on Netflix, the film addresses the controversial issues and myths that have prevented gender equality in sport, why things are now changing, and what the future holds.

Directed by women’s sport activist Sue Anstiss MBE and Jack Tompkins, the documentary beautifully combines candid interviews with some of the world’s most successful sports stars, alongside key sporting moments from 2022, including the UEFA Women’s EUROs, the Rugby World Cup and Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano’s headline fight in Madison Square Gardens.

It’s a story that will open eyes to the challenges faced by female athletes and bring hope for a future where women and girls have equal access and opportunity in sport.

Highlighting disparities faced by female athletes

Director Sue Anstiss commented: “Game On was a self-funded project, so we’re especially grateful to the pioneers and athletes who kindly shared their expertise, along with sports bodies and broadcasters who enabled us to include so much incredible sporting action. Thank you Clare Balding, Ali Bowes, Poppy Cleall, Pamela Cookey, Stacey Copeland, Emma Ross, Tanni Grey-Thompson, Denise Lewis, Ugo Monye, Kelly Smith, MBE & Laura Woods. I made Game On to celebrate the incredible growth in women’s sport whilst also highlighting the continuing disparities faced by female athletes. There’s enormous potential in women’s sport that many don’t yet see. Being broadcast on Netflix provides tremendous reach beyond current fans of women’s sport. I can’t wait for people to see our film later this month, especially ahead of such a huge summer for women’s sport including Wimbledon, The Ashes, The Netball World Cup and the football World Cup.”

An important focus on women's sport

Dr. Ali Bowes is a Senior Lecturer in the Sociology of Sport. Winner of the 2021 Vice Chancellors Teaching Award, Dr. Ali Bowes leads the first year module Sport, Culture and Society, whilst also contributing to the second year Sociology of Sport, the Body and Health module, and the third year Contemporary Issues in Sport module. She supervises research dissertations in the sociology of sport focusing on women's sport, related to media coverage, social media, gender and sexuality, professionalisation and commercialisation.

She joined NTU in January 2019. In 2013, she was awarded her PhD at in the Sociology of Sport from Loughborough University under the supervision of Prof. Alan Bairner. She also holds a BSc in Sports and Exercise Science, and a PGCE in Secondary Physical Education from Loughborough University, as well as a PGCAP from Nottingham Trent University. She is a fellow of the HEA.

Prior to working at NTU, Ali was a Programme Area Lead in the Higher Education Sport department at Loughborough College, the Course Leader for Sport Science and Sport Coaching blended degrees, and a Lecturer in the Sociology of Sport and Physical Education. She is a trained PE Teacher, and taught at schools in Nottingham and Leicester.