Latest news with #womeninsport
The Independent
3 hours ago
- Sport
- The Independent
Women in Sport charity founder says she and Anne discussed how sport has changed
The Princess Royal said 'it used to be a lot of old grey men' running sports but 'gradually it is changing', the founder of a women in sports charity said after Anne formally made her a Commander of the British Empire (CBE). Dr Anita White, founder of the Women in Sport charity, the International Working Group on Women and Sport, and the Anita White Foundation, was among those honoured at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. In the hallway of the royal residence she reconnected with the ParalympicsGB chef de mission, who two decades ago was selected for a leadership development course that Dr White was arranging. Penny Briscoe had also just been made a CBE and Dr White said they had not seen each other since the course. Describing her discussion with Anne, Dr White told the PA news agency: 'We spoke about how sport had changed, how it used to be a lot of old grey men running sport and how gradually it is changing.' The Princess Royal asked what sports the former captain of the England field hockey team had played. Dr White, who was left wing, told PA: 'I was captain of the England team and we won the World Cup in 1975 and we didn't get much recognition at the time – that made me aware of the kind of gender divide that there was, and I've been campaigning for women in sports ever since.' The 'huge change' she has witnessed in her career has been 'at the top level'. This can be seen in the attention garnered by the Lionesses squad, as well as the number of female sports presenters and women in leadership roles, she said. Dr White added: 'Inevitably there's still a certain amount of inequality in the way that girls are socialised. 'So they are terribly concerned with their appearance on social media, and not getting out there, maybe missing out on the pleasure and fun and good things that there are in sport.' 'There might be some regression of people thinking, well, because we see women in the media, we've cracked it – women in sport has been done and dusted – but of course that isn't the case,' she added. Ms Briscoe is the director of sport at the British Paralympic Association and has been selected as chef de mission for Los Angeles 2028. Dr White said people like Ms Briscoe 'ending up in a very senior position' is 'exactly one of the things that I continue to work for'. She added that, during their conversation at Windsor Castle, Ms Briscoe offered to help 'in any way she can with future work'. Dr White said she is particularly working on getting women into high-performance coaching. Anne said 'not you again' as Ms Briscoe collected her medal, the chef de mission told PA. ParalympicsGB last year finished second in the medal table for the third consecutive summer Games after winning 124 medals – 49 gold, 44 silver and 31 bronze – across 18 sports in Paris. LA 2028 will be Briscoe's 12th Paralympics and sixth as chef de mission – a role she first fulfilled at the 2014 winter Games in Sochi. Paralympic sport 'stepped out of the shadows' at the 2012 London Olympics, she said after collecting her honour for services to Paralympic sport. 'I definitely feel like I've been part of two eras of para sport, the pre-London era, where we had great athletes, we delivered great performances, but the media hadn't embraced para sport. 'It wasn't until our home Games, where every stadium was full – venues, the sport presentation, and the media, every kind of media, embraced para sport.' She added: 'I think the growth of the ParalympicsGB hasn't just been on the field of play, it's been what it's enabled off the field of play. 'So the platform that the Games provides for our athletes to have that voice, to demand changes in society.' Before joining ParalympicsGB in 2001, she was an athlete and then a coach in canoeing, which took her to the Olympics in 1996 and 2000.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Women in Sport charity founder says she and Anne discussed how sport has changed
The Princess Royal said 'it used to be a lot of old grey men' running sports but 'gradually it is changing', the founder of a women in sports charity said after Anne formally made her a Commander of the British Empire (CBE). Dr Anita White, founder of the Women in Sport charity, the International Working Group on Women and Sport, and the Anita White Foundation, was among those honoured at Windsor Castle on Tuesday. In the hallway of the royal residence she reconnected with the ParalympicsGB chef de mission, who two decades ago was selected for a leadership development course that Dr White was arranging. Penny Briscoe had also just been made a CBE and Dr White said they had not seen each other since the course. Describing her discussion with Anne, Dr White told the PA news agency: 'We spoke about how sport had changed, how it used to be a lot of old grey men running sport and how gradually it is changing.' The Princess Royal asked what sports the former captain of the England field hockey team had played. Dr White, who was left wing, told PA: 'I was captain of the England team and we won the World Cup in 1975 and we didn't get much recognition at the time – that made me aware of the kind of gender divide that there was, and I've been campaigning for women in sports ever since.' The 'huge change' she has witnessed in her career has been 'at the top level'. This can be seen in the attention garnered by the Lionesses squad, as well as the number of female sports presenters and women in leadership roles, she said. Dr White added: 'Inevitably there's still a certain amount of inequality in the way that girls are socialised. 'So they are terribly concerned with their appearance on social media, and not getting out there, maybe missing out on the pleasure and fun and good things that there are in sport.' 'There might be some regression of people thinking, well, because we see women in the media, we've cracked it – women in sport has been done and dusted – but of course that isn't the case,' she added. Ms Briscoe is the director of sport at the British Paralympic Association and has been selected as chef de mission for Los Angeles 2028. Dr White said people like Ms Briscoe 'ending up in a very senior position' is 'exactly one of the things that I continue to work for'. She added that, during their conversation at Windsor Castle, Ms Briscoe offered to help 'in any way she can with future work'. Dr White said she is particularly working on getting women into high-performance coaching. Anne said 'not you again' as Ms Briscoe collected her medal, the chef de mission told PA. ParalympicsGB last year finished second in the medal table for the third consecutive summer Games after winning 124 medals – 49 gold, 44 silver and 31 bronze – across 18 sports in Paris. LA 2028 will be Briscoe's 12th Paralympics and sixth as chef de mission – a role she first fulfilled at the 2014 winter Games in Sochi. Paralympic sport 'stepped out of the shadows' at the 2012 London Olympics, she said after collecting her honour for services to Paralympic sport. 'I definitely feel like I've been part of two eras of para sport, the pre-London era, where we had great athletes, we delivered great performances, but the media hadn't embraced para sport. 'It wasn't until our home Games, where every stadium was full – venues, the sport presentation, and the media, every kind of media, embraced para sport.' She added: 'I think the growth of the ParalympicsGB hasn't just been on the field of play, it's been what it's enabled off the field of play. 'So the platform that the Games provides for our athletes to have that voice, to demand changes in society.' Before joining ParalympicsGB in 2001, she was an athlete and then a coach in canoeing, which took her to the Olympics in 1996 and 2000.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
I'm a female sports presenter, here's what it's really like being a pundit, you wouldn't believe the sexism I have faced
THIS summer the spotlight is truly on women when it comes to the world of sport. With the Lionesses storming into the semi-finals of the Euros and the Women's Rugby World Cup set to kick off in August, girl power is the theme on and off the pitch. 5 5 However, unfortunately despite their incredible achievements so many women in the industry are still at the receiving end of toxic sexist comments as Reshmin Chowdhury knows all too well. 'I had to fight hard to be a female sports presenter,' Reshmin, 47, says. 'It wasn't easy and I tackled racism and sexism in sport reporting to forge my career. 'There was no playbook for me to follow to get to the job I have now.' Mum Reshmin, lives in London with her daughter, 12 and 12 year old son while dividing her time appearing as a presenter and sports commentator on TNT Sports and hosting Game Day Exclusive on talkSPORT on Saturday mornings. In the last five years she's made headlines fronting the FIFA World Cup in Qatar for BeIN Sports, covering the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games for Eurosport and Discovery Plus, and helping helm the UEFA Euro 2000 for ITV Sport. Reshmin says: 'If you had told me 30 years ago this would be my job, I'd have said you were crazy. 'I would have laughed it off as an impossible dream. 'Now I know through the ups and downs the impossible is possible. 'It's been hard to get here, and I have fought some tough battles to be accepted.' Reshmin Chowdhury talks about ethnic prejudice in sports broadcasting Reshmin grew up in East London, raised in what she describes as an open minded and progressive Bengali Muslim family. She says: 'Aunts and uncles surrounded me and I grew up supported by a huge second-generation community where education, culture, religion, and music constantly celebrated.' As a teenager Reshmin admitted she was sports crazy. 'My brother and I would obsessively watch everything from Wimbledon to football together,' she says. 'I was a 'sports nerd girl' - that was unusual but when it came to facts and figures about all different types of sport I lived and breathed them.' After leaving school Reshmin graduated from the University of Bath with a degree in politics and economics. In 2003 she completed a post graduate diploma in newspaper journalism at Harlow College. 'I had a degree in politics and started doing low level assistant jobs in newsrooms and that made sense to people,' she says. 'I had a politics degree, and I was training as a news reporter. 'The thought of a British Bengali woman being fascinated by sport and becoming an expert sports commentator was something most people didn't even consider possible. 'I soon realised I didn't want to be pigeonholed. 'I wanted to be a TV presenter and reporter, and I wanted to do sport. 'When you factor in, I was not just a woman but a British Asian woman and the odds were pretty much stacked against me.' Reshmin admits she thrives on challenges saying the key to her success was a passion for sport and a desire to prove people wrong. 'I went through a number of years knowing what I wanted to do but not knowing how to get into TV presenting and reporting,' she says. 'There was no guidance or even training programmes then which could be followed when I was starting out. 'Diversity hiring wasn't common then and I didn't use that track to jumpstart my career.' Reshmin admits she found herself constantly having to prove to potential bosses and colleagues she knew all the ins and outs of football. 'Everyday was a test, a test to be recognised and taken seriously,' she says. 'I'd be asked questions in the office or even on air about unusual football facts or players and I knew if I got something wrong, I'd be judged negatively 'There were times it was unpleasant. It wasn't right. 'There were times people thought I was there to take notes or make the coffee. TV sports presenters make a mint. The biggest and best are signed up on yearly deals with the likes of the BBC, ITV and Sky for your viewing pleasure. Laura Woods is dominating the media landscape at the moment, leading TNT Sports' coverage and ITV's. Alex Scott and Jermaine Jenas are two of the fresher faces for the BBC's sporting output. Then, it's the old guard of Gary Lineker and Mark Chapman who also command hefty fees for their Match of the Day programmes. SunSport has taken a look at how those big names rank and compiled a list of the top 10 highest earning stars that grace our TV screens. With number one worth a whopping £29.4million more than number 10! 'Would they have asked a man to jump through hoops in sports journalism? No, of course not. But like it or not women have to even today. 'I'm not full of myself but looking back I am proud I could pioneer a small path for other British Asian women in the competitive field of sports reporting world.' Reshmin admits that she finds the rise of nepo babies, children who are successful because of their parents, 'annoying'. 'When I started my TV career, I didn't have an 'in',' she says. 'We've all seen an increase in nepo babies - the children of the rich and famous all over the world getting jobs on the back of their parents. 'It puts so much pressure on those kids and it isn't fair on other people. Some children from non-famous families give up because they feel the system is rigged.' Reshmin admits she also has her hands full juggling motherhood and a high-profile career and struggles with mum-guilt. 'My children were born 20 months apart and I took time off to care for them,' she says. 'I came back and had to work extra hard to catch up. 'It's not a complaint, it's just what happens in the work of competitive sports journalism. 'I always have mum guilt. I worry I am not doing enough and have to be regimented with my time.' Reshmin has partnered with Talking Futures to launch the Career Transfer Hub – giving parents access to information on their child's education options just like football agents have transfer insiders, negotiation teams and career scouts. 'I know the pressure kids feel in the lead up to GCSE's, A- Levels, and mock exams,' she says. 'Many are making huge decisions before summer holidays about leaving school, starting college, or getting jobs. 'I know just how vulnerable many teens feel and how confused they are about these live altering decisions. 'That's why the Career Transfer Hub is such a great solution to getting parents – like me – more engaged. 'It's time we used the same passion and time we give to football to help our teens take their next step. "Whether it's T-levels, apprenticeships, HTQs or other options, these are the real career-defining transfers – and our teens deserve our full support.' 5
BBC News
5 days ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Middleton-Patel's Euro 2025 history 'so important'
Safia Middleton-Patel has already made history this month, but the hope is that her time in the limelight can be a catalyst for goalkeeper - whose father is Indian - became the first female player of Asian heritage to play for Wales at a major tournament when she featured in her side's 4-1 group stage loss to France at Euro journalist Miriam Walker-Khan - who founded Brown Girl Sport, a site telling stories of South Asian women in sport - believes Middleton-Patel is the first player of South Asian heritage to ever play at a women's Euros for any nation."I burst into tears when I saw that team sheet," Walker-Khan said. "For people who grew up with no representation in sport at that level, that was a crazy feeling."I'm not even Welsh, but to see a British player make that kind of history with the name Patel on the back of her shirt is insane and something we've been waiting so long for in women's football."Roopa Vyas - COO of Her Game Too and founder of Her Game Too Cymru - felt it could prove a watershed moment."It's overwhelming in the best way," she told BBC Sport Wales."For those of us from South Asian backgrounds who've grown up loving football but rarely seeing ourselves in the game, this moment feels huge. It's not just symbolic - it's deeply personal." Middleton-Patel's exploits came after left-back Neil Taylor - whose mother is Indian - became the first player of Asian heritage to play for Wales' men's side at a major tournament during their historic run to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in 2021, Taylor gave his backing to a new Professional Footballers' Association's (PFA) Asian Inclusion Mentoring Scheme (AIMS).The scheme's strategy is to "develop a sustainable flow of players of South Asian heritage into the professional game" - namely into the Premier League, English Football League and Women's Super Pound - the PFA's director of equality, diversity and inclusion - states the scheme has demonstrated "impressive year-on-year growth" - with the programme's figures growing from just six players in 2019 to more than 140 in on the Football Association of Wales' Red Wall + series, 43-cap former defender Taylor said of the initiative: "Originally when we had the conversation, it was about getting participation levels up in the UK."Then we actually decided to get some data. What we found out was there's plenty of participation at grassroots level."Where the numbers fall away is from there (grassroots) to academies. So then we got a real idea of what we needed to do."The old phrase, 'you can't be it if you can't see it', I never really believed in it much when I was young. But since I've got older and have seen what this has done especially, it does play a big part, and I think there is going to be a shift. "For our country, the numbers are growing, and they will continue to grow now." A catalyst for change? Former Brentford player Riz Rehman runs AIMS as part of his role as player inclusion executive at the Rehman believes Middleton-Patel's debut at the Euros - her fifth cap overall for her country - has the potential to positively influence the future generation who may have previously felt their route into the game was blocked."Visibility is incredibly impactful, especially on a major international stage like the Euros," he told BBC Sport Wales."Representation at the top level plays a huge role in shifting perceptions and positively impacting how people feel about a sport which they may not have previously thought was 'for them'. "In that sense, what Safia has done this summer is so important, and it's right that it's celebrated."While Middleton-Patel's showing on the big stage represents a landmark moment in numerous ways, Vyas says it must become "a turning point" for future players."As powerful as that visibility is, it can't do all the work on its own," she explained."Safia shouldn't have to carry the weight of change just by existing in that space. If we want to see more players from South Asian backgrounds breaking through, we need to meet this moment with real, practical action - not just celebration."That means challenging outdated assumptions in talent ID, properly supporting girls at grassroots level, and making sure football environments actually feel safe and inclusive - for them and for their families. "This can't just be a milestone - it needs to be a turning point." A role model for many reasons "Saf is such an incredible role model and speaks out about so much brilliant stuff when it comes to neurodiversity," added journalist Walker-Khan. "Saf is a legend already."Long before Manchester United's Middleton-Patel, 20, had even been included in the Wales squad for the summer tournament in Switzerland, she was viewed by many as a strong role has regularly spoken about living with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and the various coping mechanisms she openness on the subject is deemed particularly crucial given that a recent PFA survey showed 60% of professional footballers who have reported they have certain neurodivergent traits have not disclosed them to their team or goalkeeper was among those to collaborate with the PFA as part of their neurodiversity player research project - which looks at prevalence rates of neurodiversity in footballers and the awareness levels among - who hailed Middleton-Patel as a "incredible role model" - added: "She's showing girls and people of all ages that you don't have to tick every box or edit yourself to belong in this game. "You can succeed while being true to who you are. And that's what makes her such a powerful figure. "Not just a footballer, but someone who's quietly changing what leadership and representation look like in sport."
ABC News
09-07-2025
- Sport
- ABC News
Melbourne AFLW skipper Kate Hore backs league's future, citing rising skills and talent
Melbourne premiership star Kate Hore is adamant ongoing investment in the AFLW will be worth it in the long run, insisting the elite women's competition will only improve in future years. The AFL has reportedly told clubs the women's competition is losing $50 million a year as it approaches its 10th season, which starts next month. League officials have made improving on-field performances the top priority for the AFLW, which is also facing declining crowds and television audiences. AFLW players are pushing for an expanded season, in which every team plays each of its opponents once, by 2031. But a review by league officials has reportedly showed that would come at a $200 million loss. Hore, a seven-year AFLW veteran, urged league officials and sponsors to have faith in the competition, which she believes is growing its on-field product each year. "I'm super confident that the AFLW is an amazing competition already and we're only 10 seasons in, so I think we just need to keep investing, both as players and then more broadly as well, into the game," Hore said. "I compare myself as a player in my first season in 2018 and if I was that same player now I certainly wouldn't be getting a game. "The standard and the investment from players is only growing, and the competition's only going to keep growing as the investment comes." Do you have a story idea about women in sport? Email us abcsport5050@ Hore, a three-time All-Australian and premiership player in 2022, said the continuing influx of young players who have developed through talent pathways will lift the AFLW's standard. "The skill levels are going to continue to grow and I've really seen that in our new girls and our draftees this year," she said. "They've been playing the game since they were five years old. "I compare it to myself, I played from five until 10 (years of age) and then didn't play for 10 years. "It's a pretty long time where I didn't get to develop my skills. "These girls are coming through the pathways now … it makes me really, really excited for the future." Hore on Wednesday helped Melbourne launch a new sponsorship with a Swedish automotive manufacturer, who will partner with the Demons' women's team this season. "This partnership just shows that there's so many businesses and organisations that really want to help grow the game and support us girls," Hore said. "It's an investment really and the competition's growing. We're celebrating our 10th season but only nine years in, so the competition is going to continue to grow. "Sponsorships like this show that there's real investment from organisations and businesses out there, which we really love." AAP
