Mattel has announced the Barbie 2023 Career of the Year collection. Image credit: Gage Skidmore, Flickr.
Mattel announces “Women in Sports” as Barbie’s 2023 Career of the Year, honouring the women fighting for equality in sport.
“This year, knowing that women are severely underrepresented in the sports industry — from positions on the field to leadership in the locker room — Barbie is proud to introduce the Women in Sports lineup as the 2023 Career of the Year,” the company said in a press release.
The new line of dolls will represent four careers in the sports industry: coach, general manager, referee, and sports reporter.
Each comes with different outfits and its own unique style, including accessories like a badge, whistle, headset, and notepad.
“This collection will help pave the way for a future where women’s voices and talent are acknowledged and commemorated in the realm of sports and beyond,” Mattel stated.
“It’s crucial to show girls, not just tell them, the opportunities that exist for them in the sports industry — a cause that everyone can cheer on, no matter what sport they play or what team they root for.”
This is the first time that the women in sports dolls have featured as the Career of the Year collection.
According to the company, Barbie has had over 250 careers.
The 2022 collection featured an eco-leadership career team with a chief sustainability officer, conservation scientist, renewable energy engineer, and environmental advocate.
Barbie has partnered with Voice In Sport, an advocacy organisation for women and girls in sports.
On 12 September, Mattel and Voice In Sport will host a free virtual mentoring session for girls and women in sport aged 12–23.
The 2023 Barbie Career of the Year Dolls is not available to purchase in Australia yet.
Full product details can be viewed on the Mattel US website.
