The Government has announced plans for a new commission to address the current “crisis” in women’s sport.
Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, is set to announce the Commission on the Future of Women’s Sport, which has been set up to address the “inequalities” of women’s sport when compared to men’s.
The commission, chaired by paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, will address the number of female executives, board members and coaches involved in sport; the amount of coverage devoted to women’s sport and the money invested in it.
Sue Tobballs, chief executive of the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF), who suggested the introduction of the committee, said: “As 51% of the population, women represent the largest potential opportunity for sport in the UK, as well as its greatest reputational risk.
Positive steps
“Too many (women) feel that its male domination has left it out of touch with an otherwise increasingly equal society.
“Although positive steps are being taken – Sport England has stipulated that National Governing Bodies (NGBs) failing to make specific provision for women’s sport will see funding switched to those that do – there’s still much to be done in creating an equal playing field.
“Sport should welcome the Commission with open arms.”
Figures also show that more than 80% of women do not take enough exercise and only 8% of young women play competitive sports.
Inequalities
Dame Tanni said: “Having risen through the structures of British sport, and performed at the highest level, I have seen for myself many of the inequalities that women and girls have to put up with in this country.
“It is therefore a real honour to chair the body that will aim to tackle these inequalities.
“The Commission is exactly what winning 2012 was all about – providing the kind of inspiration and leadership to get more women and girls playing and competing in sport at every level.”
The areas to be discussed by the commission have been highlighted as key because only four of the leading 35 British NGBs of sport have a female chief executive, while women make up just 25% of all NGB board members and 25% of the highest qualified elite and development coaches.
Coverage
Five NGBs that represent women’s sport have no female board members; men’s sport is given 50 times more coverage than women’s and women’s sport receives significantly less funding than men’s.
Gerry Sutcliffe, Minister for Sport, said: “Getting more women and girls to do sport is high on our agenda. This is about challenging perceptions and getting more women of all ages to give sport a try.
“We need to see women’s sport getting the media coverage it deserves to inspire young girls to take up sport.
“I’m pleased that we now have a commission of experts working on this and, led by one of our great sporting heroes, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, I’m sure women’s sport will go from strength to strength.
“The huge growth in women’s football has shown what is possible if governing bodies, clubs, coaches and the media make a commitment to giving women’s sport a brighter future.”
