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Women and Leadership Development Programme

The Women and Leadership Development Programme (WLDP) has been developed by UK Sport in partnership with the British Olympic Foundation (BOF) and the Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR) to help tackle the issue of women’s representation within the highest ranks of British sport. The programme is a key part of UK Sport’s work in building a high performance system of ‘world class people’ through its People Development Programme suite.

The programme was established to address the low level of women in senior administrative positions in sport and involves periods of intense training and continuous support to build leadership skills and enable the participants to maximise their potential. Designed to create a level playing field for women in a competitive environment like the sport industry, it forms a key part of UK Sport’s commitment to gender equality in sport.

The overarching aims are four-fold:

• To increase representation by women in leadership positions in sport
• To build the competence and confidence of women in decision making positions
• To increase support among organisations for the contribution women can make to sports leadership
• To foster networking between women leaders, both in the UK and internationally

Each participant has a Personal Development Plan which identifies skill and knowledge requirements and set out how these will be met. A variety of learning methods are utilised, from workshops and presentation, to attendance at relevant international events. All participants are also teamed up with a mentor, usually an established woman leader, to provide additional support.

In addition to equipping individuals with leadership skills, the programme also contributes to each organisation’s influencing work in terms of international representation, developing excellence in sports leadership and advancing governance in sport.

The first programme ran from 2006-2009, with all individuals stating the programme had made a positive impact on themselves and their organisations. Approximately 70% had been promoted and 80% stated their confidence had improved at least a lot, if not a huge amount, as a result of the bespoke training received.  An executive summary can be seen below.

WLDP Evaluation 2009 Executive Summary [PDF, 42k]

To view PDF files you will require Acrobat Reader

The success of this programme in the UK has been replicated at an international level, with a number of National Olympic and Paralympic Committees and sports organisations worldwide adopting similar initiatives.

There are currently 15 women on the 2009-2011 programme from a range of National Governing Bodies and sports organisations: 

• Amanda Bond - Chief Executive, British Dressage
• Amanda Van Santen - Chief Windsurfing Instructor, RYA
• Catrin Devonald - National Development Director, Swim Wales
• Chloe Nelson MCIM - Marketing Manager, British Canoe Union
• Donna McIvor - National Football Development Manager, The FA
• Helen Bushell - CEO, Welsh Hockey Union
• Helen Cartwright - Performance Advisor, UK Sport
• Holly Woodford - Development Director, England Hockey
• Janie Frampton - National Referee Manager, Education and Training, The FA
• Jane Harvey - Chief Executive - Snowsport Scotland
• Joanne Richards- Coach Development Manager, Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association
• Lisa Wainwright - Chief Executive Officer, Volleyball England
• Rachel Washington - Operations Coordinator, The ASA
• Sam Matthews - Major Events & Projects Manager, British Cycling
• Zoe Wilson-Maye - Assistant to Head Coach, UK Athletics

For more information please contact Charlotte Edward in the UK Sport Policy team.

The 2006-09 Leaders were:

• Emma Atkins – Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust
• Jane Bateman – The FA
• Melanie Beck – British Swimming
• Penny Briscoe – Paralympics GB
• Melanie Curds – UK Athletics
• Danielle Every – The FA
• Alison Faiers – Amateur Rowing Association
• Lyne Greenwood – Northern Ireland Sports Forum
• Sue Hornby – British Canoe Union
• Margaret Nolan – Running Sport
• Helen Phillips – British Gymnastics
• Emma Griffin – British Judo
• Lucy Smith – British Gymnastics/Consultant
• Katherine Taylor – Badminton England
• Heather Williams – British Triathlon 

 

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