Eaton Primary School in Western Australia has drawn widespread criticism following an email that suggested girls bring board games during a NAIDOC Week football clinic for boys. The email, sent to parents of Year 4 students, stated, "Between recess and lunch, our Year 4 boys are lucky enough to have a football clinic visiting. With this in mind, if any girls have any fun board games they would like to bring in, we will use this as an opportunity for the girls to have some fun also."
Parents, former students, and educators voiced concerns on social media, questioning why the sporting activity was not offered to all students. Many highlighted that such a division perpetuates gender stereotypes and disregards individual interests. Comments noted that many girls play competitive football and that some boys might prefer less physically demanding activities like board games, ballet, or theater.
"My 8 year old daughter would also pick football! Should be open to everyone! Personally, I'd choose board games," one parent wrote. Another commenter stated, "Why wouldn't they let the children choose what they'd like to do? Some girls like football, some boys don't! Gender stereotypes need to get in the bin and disappointing to see a school perpetuate these."
Further examples of gendered activity expectations were shared, with one parent recalling, "Back in secondary school the girls had to dance and the boys had to play football and we had no choice." Others shared positive experiences of daughters excelling in football, with one woman noting her daughter was scouted after being discouraged from playing the sport in primary school.
The controversy gained significant attention after British TikTok creator Savvy Jamie shared the email, asserting it demonstrated how gender stereotypes continue to influence children's school experiences. Jamie conducted a personal experiment with her own children, whose responses indicated a preference for activities not aligned with traditional gender roles.
In response to the backlash, the school clarified that the football clinic was delivered by the Clontarf Foundation, an organization that uses sport to improve outcomes for Indigenous boys. A spokesperson for the Western Australia Department of Education stated that the school has planned a separate sports clinic for girls in the latter half of the year. WA Education Minister Sabine Winton emphasized her expectation that public schools provide equal opportunities for all students and encouraged the school to arrange a similar clinic for the girls.
"It is my expectation that WA public schools provide the same opportunities to both girls and boys - whether that is in the classroom or on the sporting field," Winton said. "I strongly encourage the school to ensure they provide an opportunity for Eaton Primary School girls to participate in a similar clinic."