Sport NI is delighted that the UK has won the bid to host the @IWGWomenSport. As a proud supporter of the movement for gender equity in sport, we are excited to see the UK take the lead in driving empowerment, equality and progress #ShareTheChange
Sport NI’s Women and Girls: Active Fit and Sporty Survey (2019) gave us valuable insight into female participation and revealed that while women and girls are aware that participating in sport has health benefits, they experienced a lack of confidence as the top barrier to their participation. Overall, participating in sport and physical recreation in a recreational/non-structured manner was identified as the most popular choice for women and girls. The development of physical literacy in young girls and women will empower them and provide confidence to participate and an improved club environment with the right offer was also identified to attract more women and girls to join a sports clubs – and more likely to be and stay active.
This study identified four key recommendations, which are now informing our future planning for the provision of opportunities for women and girls’ sport:
- More Mental Health, Wellbeing and Body Image Interventions
- More visible role models at all levels of participation and pathway development
- Sports Clubs providing inclusive and welcoming social and recreational level sporting activities
- The development of inclusive and accessible facilities
Sport Northern Ireland as the lead public body for the development of sport in Northern Ireland is passionate about maximising the power of sport to change lives. During the co-design of our new draft Corporate Plan, for the next five years, you told us the key themes of; well-being, equality, diversity and inclusion should be central to the development of our sporting system in Northern Ireland.
As we make progress on mainstreaming equality in Sport it is exciting to see the UK take hold of the baton in this global leadership role, and along with other Sports Councils, Sport Northern Ireland was proud to play a part in supporting this successful bid.