We are calling on community groups and sectors to make
applications, including those who have not previously considered
applying for funding.
Sport England has launched a drive to get more women
from disadvantaged communities, and more women caring for
children, playing sport.
Currently, only one in eight women in England play sport
regularly (three times a week), according to our Active People Survey. Although numbers are
increasing, women's participation still lags behind men's (one in
five) and the gap between the two genders is increasing.
The same research also shows that women from disadvantaged
communities play even less sport, with just one in 10 taking part
regularly.
Our new funding programme, 'Active Women', aims to help change
this. We are seeking bids from projects that directly
address the challenges women have to overcome if they want to
play more sport. These include:
- Time constraints
- Childcare
- Transport
- Cost
- Friends to go with
- Self-confidence.
We are calling on community groups and sectors to make
applications, including those who have not previously considered
applying for funding. Schools, local councils and national
governing bodies are just some of the organisations behind existing
projects which have successfully engaged women.
Examples include getting mums off the sidelines and back onto
the netball court, forming local and social running networks and
offering fun taster sessions in team sports.
“We know women play less sport and we know why. What we now need
to find out is what we can do to change that," said Jennie Price,
Sport England's Chief Executive. "We're looking for creative and
innovative projects that don’t just make sport fun and accessible
to women but transform it from something they watch their children
do into an essential part of their own lives."
Denise Lewis, mother of three and Olympic gold
medallist, is supporting Active Women.
"As a mum, I know how difficult it can be to prioritise yourself
and find that personal time to play sport and be active," said
Denise. "This campaign will offer women the opportunity to
take those first steps towards making a change in their lives.”
The launch of Active Women coincides with the
announcement that Sport England is investing £1.4 million of
government funding in the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation
(WSFF). WSFF’s work includes helping sports governing bodies, in
which Sport England is investing £480 million to deliver more
sporting opportunities, to shape and deliver sport so that it meets
the individual needs of women and therefore increases
participation.
“From juggling a busy schedule to managing a
tight budget, taking part in sport can seem like a distant
possibility for women," said Sue Tibballs, Chief Executive of WSFF.
"We know however that when shaped with women in mind, projects can
play a huge part in making sport more accessible and indeed
attractive."
The fund is open to applications now and will
close at 5pm on 3 February 2010.
More information