Interim Report of the Government's Women and Sport Advisory Board
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Interim Report of the Government’s Women and Sport Advisory Board October 2014 Making women playing sport “ “ and working in sport the norm Contents Foreword by Helen Grant MP, Minister for Sport and Tourism 1 Women and Sport Advisory Board 2 � Baroness Karren Brady CBE, Vice-Chair of West Ham United 3 � Clare Connor OBE, Head of Women's Cricket, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) 4 � Tracey Crouch MP, Conservative MP for Chatham and Aylesford 5 � Simon Green, Head of BT Sport 6 � Helena Morrissey CBE, CEO of Newton Investment Management 7 � Judy Murray, Tennis Coach and Captain of the British Fed Cup team 8 Shining the spotlight on women’s sport 9 � Increasing women’s participation in sport 11 � Improving the media profile of women’s sport 13 � Increasing commercial investment in women’s sport 15 � Improving women’s representation in leadership and the workforce 17 � Encouraging greater recognition for women’s sporting achievements 19 Sport England: new campaign 21 National conference on women’s sport 22 Organisations working on women and sport 23 References and picture credits 27 1 | Interim Report of the Government’s Women and Sport Advisory Board October 2014 Foreword Helen Grant MP, Minister for Sport and Tourism Since taking on the role of Minister So I know first-hand the positive impact Women are still playing far less sport for Sport and Tourism in October that sport can have on women. Aside than men, nearly half the National 2013, I am ever more determined to from the obvious health benefits it helps Governing Bodies of sport have less than see women enjoying sport; playing, boost self-esteem and confidence. It also 25% women represented on their Boards, encourages women to become part of a women’s sport accounts for just 7% of all watching and working in sport, free team and strive to be the best they can sports media coverage and only 0.4% of from unnecessary obstacles or be. I firmly believe that there is a sport out the value of reported sponsorship deals social prejudices. there for every woman. in sport. With continued efforts however, we will see change. Following the huge success of London As Chair of the Government’s Women and 2012, which showcased so many inspiring Sport Advisory Board, it is a privilege to I’m delighted to be launching this role models for women and girls across the be working alongside such dedicated and interim report on the same day as the country, sport is slowly becoming a real enthusiastic experts in the fields of sport, Government’s first national women and choice for women; a normal way of life. broadcasting, politics and business. sport conference. Hosted in conjunction with Women in Sport, this event explores Sport has always been a huge part of Our vision for women’s sport is long-term and showcases the Government’s key my life. It helped shape me growing up, but there have been notable signs of priority areas for women and sport, as teaching me valuable life lessons such progress and we are gaining momentum. set out in this report. as leadership, teamwork, discipline and respect. I represented my county in Over the last year the number of women Members of the Women and Sport hockey, tennis and athletics. I was also playing sport has increased by 62,800, Advisory Board have already made a north of England and southern Scotland the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi 2014 significant amount of progress and I look junior judo champion. provoked another peak in media interest forward to working with them for the and the overall percentage of women on remainder of this Parliament to continue the Boards of National Governing Bodies that momentum, culminating in a final has risen from 23% last year to 27% report in spring 2015. I have confidence this year. that with the continued dedication of individuals and organisations alike we can Nevertheless, the task at hand precipitate change to make women playing is challenging. sport and working in sport the norm. Interim Report of the Government’s Women and Sport Advisory Board October 2014 | 2 Women and Sport Advisory Board In summer 2013, the Government Furthermore, the publication of this report established a ‘Women and Sport coincides with the Government’s first Advisory Board’ in order to engage national conference dedicated entirely more strategically with the sectors that to the area of women and sport. This influence the sporting landscape. one-day event at Lord’s Cricket Ground, The Board met for the first time in hosted by the Minister for Sport and September 2013 and has since been Tourism and delivered in partnership with meeting quarterly to share ideas and Women in Sport (formerly the Women’s Baroness Brady CBE Clare Connor CBE Tracey Crouch MP strategies for furthering the Women Sport and Fitness Foundation) further (joined September 2013) (joined September 2013) (joined September 2013) and Sport agenda. Each Board member demonstrates the work areas to which the has committed to raising the profile Board members have lent their expertise of women’s sport within their area of over the past year. (More information on expertise and as a group they have this event can be found on page 22.) advised and informed the Government’s work programme on women and sport. Board Members The Board is chaired by the Minister for The Interim Report Sport and Tourism and includes experts Just over a year on from its inception, from the fields of sport, broadcasting, the Women and Sport Advisory Board politics, and business. Originally, Karen Earl Simon Green Helena Morrissey CBE is releasing this interim report to there were six members on the Board, (joined September 2014) (joined September 2013) (joined September 2013) provide a short overview of the key appointed for a one-year term. In order to issues surrounding women and sport build on the momentum gained so far and and a snapshot of action being taken to effectively pursue the Board’s work, the by the Government, its primary delivery Board’s term has been extended to March bodies for sport and key stakeholders to 2015, and two new members joined in address these areas. (More information September 2014. on these organisations can be found on pages 23-26.) The following section includes contributions from the six original board members outlining why they joined the Judy Murray Barbara Slater OBE Women and Sport Advisory Board and (joined September 2013) (joined September 2014) what they see as the main priorities for women’s sport. 3 | Interim Report of the Government’s Women and Sport Advisory Board October 2014 Baroness Karren Brady CBE Vice-Chair of West Ham United I am constantly impressed by each successive generation Instead of pulling up the ladder behind you, as women, we need of women who challenge conventional conceptions of to do our part to create an environment in which women can success at work and battle against gender inequality. balance both work and family, whilst aiming for the top. After succeeding in these fields, women must not forget the significant I regularly meet young women who are starting their careers challenges and barriers they have had to overcome; therefore, with incredible determination and I want to do everything I can female trail blazers should share advice and create opportunities to ensure they do not face prejudice because of their gender. for others to follow in the footsteps of their success. That is why I was delighted to join the Government’s Women and Sport Advisory Board; it is a fantastic group of people By identifying talented women in sport and business, drawn from different parts of the sporting world. Together supporting them and developing their confidence, more and our aim has been to tackle the gender gap within sport and more women can reach and thrive within the boardroom. There encourage women to explore their full potential both on and off is an untapped market of women outside the sport sector who the pitch. have the potential to inject unique and diverse insights to any sporting board. I was delighted to be closely involved in the There is an assumption that football is a male-dominated women on sports’ boards event earlier this year which brought industry, and this can be challenging for some women who together Chairs of sports’ boards with ‘board-ready’ women may not have the confidence or the appetite to put themselves from the corporate world. The event really helped break down forward in that kind of environment. While there is more the the perceived barriers on both sides of the room! football industry could do to present itself in a more women- friendly light, behind the scenes there are many women who Through my work on the Women and Sport Advisory Board, I are progressing throughout the industry. hope that we can continue to increase the opportunities and ease with which young girls and women can access and thrive When I joined Birmingham City Football Club I was the only in the world of sport. woman. When I left, three-quarters of my senior management team were women. Similarly, when I joined West Ham United there were no women on the senior management board; however, now 50% of the board are female. Interim Report of the Government’s Women and Sport Advisory Board October 2014 | 4 Baroness Karren Brady CBE Clare Connor OBE Vice-Chair of West Ham United Head of Women’s Cricket, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) The best way for me to explain why I am so committed to In 2008, the role I’m currently in came up – Head of Women’s the women in sport movement, specifically through the Cricket at the ECB.