The UK has launched the Equal Sport Project, a sweeping initiative backed by major sporting bodies and the government to establish the nation as a global leader in women’s and girls’ sport.
The Equal Sport Project has identified five critical areas where improved leadership, investment, and action will have the greatest impact on bringing equality for women and men across sport. These focus points 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
Several major organisations have already made pledges based on these areas. Aquatics GB and the Football Association (FA) are prioritising female leadership programmes. Sport England and UK Sport have committed to working with their funding partners to ensure governance structures are designed by men and women, for men and women.
The Youth Sport Trust will support schools in recognising and challenging stereotypes while developing male allies to champion gender equality in PE, school sport, and physical activity.
The project is also backed by the UK government, with sports minister Stephanie Peacock stating, We have seen progress in women and girls’ sport, but there is still a long way to go.
The government’s support includes hosting the 2027 Tour de France Femmes Grand Depart, bidding for the 2035 Fifa Women’s World Cup, investing £400m in grassroots facilities, doubling priority access to football pitches for women and girls, and chairing the Women’s Sport Taskforce.
Peacock added, We will work closely with the Equal Sport Project and encourage all organisations to get involved. Together we can make the UK a world leader in women and girls’ sport.
