UK Sport

UK Sport prepares to host the European Women and Sport Steering Group

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UK Sport 19 August 2010

UK Sport is preparing to host the European Women and Sport Steering Group (EWS) this weekend and the timing could not have been better. As well as continuing to progress its work on gender equality in European sport, the EWS Group will be heading off to enjoy an afternoon of world class sport at the Women’s Rugby World Cup, a major event supported through the UK Sport Lottery funded World Class Events Programme.

UK Sport’s Head of Policy, Amanda Bennett, was elected as EWS Chair in October 2009 and as a former international rugby player and coach, the opportunity to showcase some of the world’s best players on home soil was too good to ignore. Commenting prior to the arrival of the group, Amanda said: “I am delighted to be welcoming the group to the UK this week. The EWS is a free standing group which aims to promote gender equality in European sport through leadership, partnership and influence. This meeting will allow us the opportunity to continue with this important work whilst also giving us an opportunity to watch some world class sporting action right on our doorstep!”

During the period of the UK Chair, the group has focused its work on sharing best practice, especially in the field of elite women’s sport, and campaigning for EU funding to support women and sport projects. Since October, the EU has committed nearly €1m to gender equality projects and EWS is deemed an essential strategic partner as it brings expertise to each project. In addition, EWS is co-ordinating one of the biggest research projects into women’s sport in Europe in over a decade with the results due to be reported in 2011.

At its meeting in London EWS will hear from the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation on the commercial value of women’s sport, in particular elite women’s sport, and meet sports leaders from across the UK including participants on the Women and Leadership Development Programme. Not only therefore will the meeting provide interesting opportunities and discussions for the group but it will also provide an opportunity for WLDP participants to expand their networks and share their vision of sport in the UK with some of Europe’s leading sports figures.

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