The Government has published its response to the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee’s report on Women in Sport.
The response highlights the progress already made in increasing participation by women in sport, which is up by a quarter of million since 2010, and points to the investment being made through Sport England and others in grassroots sport.
Ministers rejected the idea of creating a further measure of sports participation by girls, citing existing assessments made by Active People and Taking Part research. But they acknowledged the work which NGBs are doing to target girls and women, as well as the Sportivate and Satellite Club programmes overseen by Sport England.
The report, which comes following an inquiry led by Committee chair John Whittingdale MP, says that government departments are working more closely together, pointing out that DCMS, the Department for Education and the Department of Health all coordinate on a range of effective joint policies in this area.
The response also tackled the media’s role in covering women’s sport and ministers believe that more needs to be done to ensure that women in sport get the profile they deserve.
Emma Boggis, Chief Executive of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, believes that the Alliance has a lead role to play in supporting women in sport.
Building on its long track record in the area the Alliance recently held a special meeting of its Alliance Directors Club, aimed at developing the cadre of women applying for non-executive roles in sport.
In the past, the Alliance has helped to organise the first ever international conference called to specifically address the issues facing women in sport, as well as co-ordinated the inaugural European-wide Women’s International Development Programme.
Commenting on the Government’s response to the Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s report on Women and Sport, Emma Boggis, CEO Sport and Recreation Alliance said:
“The Culture, Media and Sport Committee’s inquiry put a welcome spotlight on women and sport.
"In its response, the Government highlights a lot of positive progress in supporting women and girls to get involved with sport at all levels, but more needs to be done.
“We look forward to working with the Government and our members to share good practice and innovation in increasing participation rates and female representation in the sports world.
"Through our governance and leadership programmes, the Alliance is continuing to inspire and support women to take an active role in guiding the future of sport.
"For example we recently hosted a breakfast meeting of our Alliance Directors Club – set up to develop board skills for the sport and recreation sector – specifically aimed at female directors and potential directors to highlight and promote the opportunities available.
“As the Government suggests, we need to create better, more accessible facilities and help communities to take over local assets.
"As part of this we’d like to see all local authorities produce physical activity strategies which include an audit of local facilities and community use.
“We agree we must build on the success of the Olympic and Paralympic legacy, but we also need to think beyond the end of Whole Sports Plans in 2017.
"We must think long term, be ambitious and ensure that women and girls have the opportunities to access and lead sport at all levels.”
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