Figures show that at present, one in eight women regularly play sport in England, something that has increased significantly since 2005/2006, is still significantly behind their male counterparts. Sport England predicts that women from disadvantaged communities play even less sport, with just one in ten taking part regularly. The ‘Active Women’ initiative is being supported by Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe and the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF). “Taking up sport, and finding an activity you really enjoy, is something that everyone should have the opportunity to do. We know that women can face particular barriers to taking part in sport, and it is important we invest resources into understanding how best to overturn those. That’s why this themed round is all about encouraging innovative projects and ideas to come forward and help us make sport fun and accessible for women across the country,” said Jennie Price, Sport England chief executive. Gerry Sutcliffe, UK Minister for Sport, added: “Getting more women and girls to play sport is top of my agenda so it’s fantastic that Sport England has committed £10 million to making sure this happens. Our sportswomen have had a bumper year and I hope the successes of stars like Jessica Ennis and the England women’s cricket team will inspire more women across the country to make that important first step. There is a sport out there for everyone and this investment will help clubs reach out to women who haven’t found theirs yet.” Issues around the growing world of women and sport in the UK and all its components – the media, sponsorship, marketing and funding – will be discussed at The Women and Sport Conference in London on November 27 2009. For more details or to book a place, visit http://www.womenandsport.co.uk/

Figures show that at present, one in eight women regularly play sport in England, something that has increased significantly since 2005/2006, is still significantly behind their male counterparts. Sport England predicts that women from disadvantaged communities play even less sport, with just one in ten taking part regularly.

The ‘Active Women’ initiative is being supported by Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe and the Women’s Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF).

“Taking up sport, and finding an activity you really enjoy, is something that everyone should have the opportunity to do. We know that women can face particular barriers to taking part in sport, and it is important we invest resources into understanding how best to overturn those. That’s why this themed round is all about encouraging innovative projects and ideas to come forward and help us make sport fun and accessible for women across the country,” said Jennie Price, Sport England chief executive.

Gerry Sutcliffe, UK Minister for Sport, added: “Getting more women and girls to play sport is top of my agenda so it’s fantastic that Sport England has committed £10 million to making sure this happens. Our sportswomen have had a bumper year and I hope the successes of stars like Jessica Ennis and the England women’s cricket team will inspire more women across the country to make that important first step. There is a sport out there for everyone and this investment will help clubs reach out to women who haven’t found theirs yet.”

Issues around the growing world of women and sport in the UK and all its components – the media, sponsorship, marketing and funding – will be discussed at The Women and Sport Conference in London on November 27 2009. For more details or to book a place, visit http://www.womenandsport.co.uk/