Girl trying to make it in the sport's world

I was a competitive gymnast for 12 years of my life. I began when I was 2 and quit once I started high school.
I played softball for a good number of years in a league outside of school. I may not have been the best but I was part of the team.
I did the church basketball scene from 7 until my last year in high school. I popped my shoulder out at a practice and outside sports were soon banned by my school sport.
I enjoyed tennis throughout a summer or two, along with golf lessons. I went to the driving range a lot with my dad and still enjoy to go once in a while.
I snowboard (not the best) and push myself to try it even though it usually ends in injuries.
Lastly I am a cheerleader. After quitting gymnastics my mother wanted me to stay active so I cheered 3 years in high school and then 2 in college.

This last part of my sporting career puts me in a group. Girls (and boys!) that many other athletes and society do not take seriously. When "cheerleader" is heard stereotypical ideas come into many people minds. Mindless girls that care too much about a sport that many deem a club activity. Girls that are catty and weak. It is because of this when I wear my PSU CHEER shirt and announce I want to enter sports journalism I get blank stares.

Sports journalism is a field that is competitive for women to begin with. It is common to see females more but there are still issues behind the scenes. I was sent a meme the other day of a female reporter interviewing the US Men's Swimming team with a caption implying that the men are the reason why she is doing her job. Issues like these are found both in society and in the field and an issue I am ready to deal with. On top of that I have the cheerleader stereotype following me around in this job. I have had people already question my motives in wanting to do this job.

My motives for doing sports journalism are simple. I love sports. I love football and hockey (Giants and Penguins all the way). I would love to be able to write about what I love. I will not be writing about about how attractive the players are or who has the best hair that day. The reason I want to write is because of the team aspect. A group of people relying on each other to reach a common goal.
I've been in that situation in most of the sports I have done. In gymnastics my score would help my team win the overall. In softball I had to pay attention or else the ball may fly on by me. In basketball my shooting and passing would help us pull ahead. Lastly in cheerleading I was needed. If I was not there 3 other people in my stunt group would be out. A pyramid may not be able to go up. So while we may not have been a "sport" there was not doubt we were a team. It is that bond that is intriguing and makes me want to explore it more. The statistics and individual players are facts that need to be known because they are part of the team. It is all of this that will drive me to succeed in a world where I may be told I do not belong.