Amanda Bennett, UK Sport's Head of Policy Hera to Heroes; Women in elite sport and the 2012 Games. Womens Sports Foundation - committed to improving, increasing and promoting opportunities for women and girls - in all roles and at all levels - in sport, fitness and physical activity through advocacy, information, education, research and training Did you know? At end of 2006, under 3 in 10 members (29%) of sports boards and committees were women? 1 in 5 women take part in regular sport and active Women - under-represented in many areas of sport 19% of women took part in regular sport and active recreation in the previous four weeks, compared with 24% of men Amongst Asian women - drops to 13% 571 female athletes received support through UK Sport and Home Country Sports Councils' Performance and Pathway Programmes, representing 41% of the total number 29% of sports boards and committees are made up of women (in 2005-2006) We would expect all sports organisations to show real commitment and make concerted efforts to increase women's involvement particularly as diversity is at the heart of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games In the 'England Active People Survey' - two measures of activity: 'Some activity' = moderate intensity sport or active recreation for 30 minutes in the previous month 'Regular activity' = sport or active recreation for at least 30 minutes continuously in one session Data released in 2006 from the largest survey of sports participation in England shows that participation rates among women are lower than men's In 2005-06, around 45% of women aged 16 and over (9 million) were active in the previous four weeks, compared with 54% of men (10.6 million). Nineteen percent (3.8 million women) took part in regular sport and active recreation for at least 30 minutes compared with 24% of men (4.7 million) Activity levels vary by region Least active women - the West Midlands - 16.6% of women took part in regular sport and active recreation Most regularly active women - the South East (20.3%) Women's five most popular activities to participate in are Walking (19%) Swimming (17%), Visiting the gym (10%), Athletics including road running and jogging (4%) Aerobics (3%) Age - large impact on activity levels: younger women - most active Almost (60%) women aged 16-24 years did some sport and active recreation Women - choose sports and active recreation that: Do not require joining a team or Having to take part competitively. Men - most popular sport - competitive team sport: football (13%). More than 1 in 5 men took part in organised competitive sports in the previous 12 months compared with less than 1 in 10 women Organised team sport is more popular amongst young women - with 17% of 16-24 year old women taking part, but this drops to under 10% from aged 25 onwards Barriers that hamper women who already take part in sport taking part more frequently. Almost 4 in 10 women (36%) would do more sport if they were less busy. Over 1 in 10 women (12%) said cheaper admission prices would encourage them to participate Other reasons :- People to go with (9%); Help with childcare/crèche facilities (6%). Men mention: being less busy cheaper admissions, help with childcare/crèche facilities not an important factor (just 1%). For those who do no sport at all, main reason (50%) women: health not good enough Lack of time (17%) women 15% suggested that they were not really interested. In 2005-06 19% of women (3.8 million) took part in regular sport and active recreation compared with 24% of men (4.7 million). (45%) did at least one session of 30 minutes sport and active recreation in the previous four weeks, compared with over half of men (54%). For women in sport today: World Class Performance relies on: Lottery Distributor World Class Pathways World Class People Worldwide Impact via: International Influence Major Events International Development World Class Standards maintained by: Anti-doping Ethics and equality Heraian Games are: Quadrennial Women only festival of the goddess Hera Dominated by Spartan women - strong women produce good soldiers Victorian Women and Sport were... Perceived as physically inferior Banned from Olympics Public school system "Games are essential to a healthy existence" Miss Dove, St Leonards School 1891 Exercise released women from the corset Middle and upper class access The Modern Olympics IOC formed in 1894 "Women's sport is against the laws of nature" Baron de Coubertin London 1908 - archery, tennis and figure skating Athens 2004 27/28 sports 41% athletes were women The Paralympic Games Stoke Mandeville 1948 for WWII veterans Olympic style games 1960 in Rome - 400 athletes Athens 2004 - 4000 athletes Joint Olympic and Paralympic events since 1988 (summer) and 1992 (winter) London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics Aspirational targets are 4th Olympics 1st Paralympics 42% World Class funding to female athletes Active recruitment - Sporting Giants in volleyball and handball High performance legacy International Development through Sport (IDS) Sport - a powerful tool for human and social development IDS Aims Education and youth development Promotion of equality through sport HIV/AIDS education The Current Situation 76% men and 78% women over 50 do not take enough exercise to maintain health Only 1 in 10 British Olympic coaches was female in Athens 2004 Swimming rates very highly as a sport that ethnic minority groups would like to take part in but currently do not Only 1 in 4 disabled pupils took part in PE in 2002 Visibility and Value Olympic silver medallist 2000 and 2004 UK Sport WCPP athlete receiving Lottery funding - approx £30k 'No Compromise' approach Preparation Training Lifestyle choices Sportswomen of the Year Awards Sunday Times sponsored Recognise women athletes, coaches, administrators, teachers and volunteers Press and TV coverage Nominate and vote - November 2007 Women and Leadership 29% women cabinet ministers 35% public appointments to women 29% on sports boards and committees (UK Sport 2007) Women and Leadership Development Programme Aims: Increase representation Build competence and confidence Foster networking nationally and internationally Impact Individual impact of participants Change the culture and practices of sports organisations Women and 2012 Participation Facility use Jobs UK Women's Sport needs: Athletes Coaches Leaders Role models Images Try the Sportswomen Quiz! 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