Major sporting organisations and senior figures from across sport have today united behind an unprecedented cross-sector commitment to make the UK the world's leading nation for women and girls in sport.
The Equal Sport Project unites sport in the UK behind five shared ambitions to accelerate progress towards equality for women and men across sport - from local leisure centres to the biggest stadiums, and from grassroots pitches to boardrooms.
Major sporting organisations from all parts of the UK sporting landscape including The FA, RFU, Youth Sport Trust, England Netball, UK Sport, LTA, Women’s Sport Trust, Women in Sport, Team GB and Sport England have published specific pledges to act and help deliver those ambitions while brands and broadcasters are also among the organisations weighing in to support.
The rest of the industry is also being asked to commit support and pledges as the project seems to gain momentum in the months and years to come.
The project launch comes at a time when the momentum of women's sport has never been stronger; participation is growing, audiences are growing and investment is accelerating.
But it also recognises that progress remains deeply uneven and that significant inequalities remain across all areas of the sporting system – from community and school sport right up to the highest levels.
Research published earlier this year by Sporting Insights found that fewer than 1% of women working in sport believe gender equality has been achieved across the industry, while more than half believe they are paid less than men for carrying out the same role.
Women's sport also continues to receive a disproportionately small share of media coverage, accounting for around 9% of sports coverage on key channels and 8% of prime-time sports coverage. Meanwhile, gendered attitudes are increasing, with 41% of boys agreeing some sports are for boys and nearly two-thirds (64%) of girls want to be more active; confidence, body image, unequal facilities and gender stereotypes continue to present barriers to participation.
These barriers are reflected in a persistent gender gap in physical activity, with less than half (46%) of girls active compared to over half (52%) of boys. For adults in England, a stubborn gender activity gap persists, with half a million fewer active women than men, according to Sport England’s most recent Active Lives Data.
From commitment to action
Accepting that there are already myriad priorities across the sector, The Equal Sport Project has identified five specific areas where collective leadership, investment and action will have the greatest impact and calls on the entire system to align behind them.
These are:
- Equal access to sport for girls in school
- Equal relevance, reach and revenue for women's sport
- An equal workforce across sport
- Governance structures redesigned for equality
- Equal access to sports facilities
This project is a call to action.
Other organisations that have today committed to taking action through the project include Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club, the Women's Super League, British Rowing, the Association of School and College Leaders, and the National Association of Head Teachers.
Any organisation with an interest in the future of women's sport in the UK is invited to join The Equal Sport Project and make a measurable commitment towards at least one of the five ambitions over the next two years.
A once-in-a-generation opportunity
The organisations behind the project believe the UK is better positioned than any nation to lead the next era of women's sport.
The success of elite athletes and teams, growing public demand and increasing commercial confidence have created a window of opportunity that few countries can match.
It is only through taking action now, across the whole sector, that the opportunity in front of the UK can be seized.
Why this matters
The rapid growth of women's sport represents one of the UK's most significant untapped economic, social and reputational opportunities. Growing audiences, investment, participation, events and innovation are creating new markets, jobs and opportunities across the sector.
By establishing itself as the world's leading nation for women and girls in sport, the UK can strengthen its position as a global destination for sporting events, media, talent and investment.
Beyond the economic benefits, greater access to sport can help improve health, wellbeing, confidence and social connectedness for women and girls across the country, helping provide the life changing opportunities that sport can give women and girls across the country.
Sue Day, Director of Women’s Football at The FA, said: “This is such an exciting moment for women’s sport. There is real momentum, belief and ambition across the sporting landscape, and by working as a collective we have the opportunity to turn that into lasting change for women and girls everywhere.
“Football has an enormous platform and a responsibility to use its influence to drive progress across the sector – broadening opportunities, growing audiences and investment, and helping women’s sport as a whole go from strength to strength. With the prospect of hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035 on the horizon, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to inspire the next generation and create a legacy that can transform not just football, but all of women’s sport.”
Baroness Sue Campbell, Chair of England Netball, added: "Women's sport has reached a defining moment. We have seen extraordinary progress over the past decade, but we know that equality will not happen by accident. It requires leadership, ambition and a willingness to redesign the system so that women and girls are considered from the very beginning, not as an afterthought. The Equal Sport Project is about more than recognising the challenge; it is about committing to action together. If we get this right, the UK can become the best place in the world for every woman and girl to play, compete, coach, lead and thrive in sport."
Sally Munday, Chief Executive of UK Sport, said: "The UK has shown what is possible when we invest in women and girls' sport. Our athletes and teams are inspiring millions, audiences are growing, and women's sport has become one of the most exciting opportunities in the global sporting landscape.
But we cannot stand still. While much has been achieved, and despite what some may say, the journey towards equality in sport is far from complete.
If we want the UK to become the world's leading nation for women and girls' sport, we need to continue working together across the whole system. The Equal Sport Project is an important collective commitment to ensure we build on our strengths, challenge the barriers that remain and create lasting change for future generations."
Simon Hayes, Chief Executive of Sport England, commented: “While we’ve made real progress, too many girls and women still face barriers that prevent them from taking part in sport, staying in sport and reaching their full potential.
“We’re excited to be part of the Equal Sport Project and to be helping turn its ambition into action. No single organisation can solve these challenges alone, and this has to be a collective effort.
“By coming together around five shared priorities, we can create a sporting system that is fairer, more inclusive and better for all women and girls.”
To view all the pledges made to date and for more information please click here
