Spreakers: Joe Lowther, KICK; Kim Henderson, Assc for Physical Education; Dr Nicola Brown, St. Mary’s University; Claire Lane, StreetGames.

30/01/2024

The Voice for Children

Virtual Meeting – ‘Girls in Sport’

The unveiling of Mary Earps as the 2023 BBC Sports Personality of the Year marked a consecutive ‘female treble’ in the history of the award. December 2023 brought more good news with Government backing for the recommendations of former England and Great Britain professional footballer Karen Carney’s independent review into the future of domestic women’s football. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer pledged: ‘We are completely committed to delivering equal access to sport for girls in schools, alongside an unprecedented £400 million investment in grassroots facilities outside of school.’

However, in the communities, schools and playgrounds in the UK’s cities, towns and villages, the experience of many girls is woeful. Too often, and especially in their teenage years, they are deterred from physical activity and denied opportunities that might encourage them to pursue a career in sport – or simply make it an integral component of their daily lives. We all know about the gap between positive rhetoric and actual delivery by Government.

Chair: Phil Royal

Speakers:

Joe Lowther, KICK
Kim Henderson, Association for Physical Education
Dr Nicola Brown, St. Mary’s University
Claire Lane, StreetGames