Join us this International Women’s Day at SportPark, Loughborough

As part of International Women’s Day 2026 celebrations, the Youth Sport Trust will be hosting an in-person networking event at SportPark in Loughborough.

📅 Thursday 12 March 2026

🕔 16:30 – 18:30 (arrivals and informal networking from 16:30, panel from 17:00)

📍 Playground Room, SportPark, 3 Oakwood Drive, Loughborough, LE11 3QF

This relaxed and welcoming evening will bring together women working across the sport industry to connect, share experiences and celebrate the impact of women in sport.

The highlight of the event will be a panel conversation including:

• Ali Oliver, CEO of Youth Sport Trust

• Sadé Paul-Henry, Founder of Women Who Can

Together, they’ll share honest reflections on their journeys as women in sport, the challenges they’ve faced, and how they empower themselves and others within the industry.

A huge thank you to the Youth Sport Trust for organising this meet up.

Heather Force, Switzerland-based member of the Women’s Sport Collective, invites members to an evening of networking and women’s ice hockey during the PWFL semi-finals, featuring EV Zug Women’s Team.

We’ll meet at 67 Sportsbar before watching the 19:30 match together. Limited places. Register to secure yours.

Stay connected & build your network as you meet other women working in sport at our monthly online meetings.

Very relaxed & informal. No preparation needed.

Registrations links are in the first pinned post of the closed LinkedIn group and in the monthly newsletters.

What to expect

If you've not come to one of our online meetings before, and are feeling a little nervous, let us reassure you with the format...

• As you join the call and you're invited to introduce yourself in the chat area

• It's a nice chance to look across at others on the call and see if there's anyone you know!

• A short welcome from the Host with news of what's coming up for the Women's Sport Collective

• The host works her magic and sends us off into random groups of four where we introduce ourselves and chat about our roles and what we're working on. Very informal, just a chance to get to know 3 women and find out about different areas of the sports industry.

• You're brought back into the main room and we'll hear from a member for about 10 minutes as she chats about her career and anyone can ask questions at the end

• We head back into rooms to meet 3 different women and again make introductions and have an informal chat

• Back into the main room for wrap up and goodbye (and maybe a big group photo).
  
  That's it.

Join the Essex Rebels for a special International Women’s Day celebration on Saturday 7th March, featuring an action-packed basketball doubleheader, a vibrant Fanzone, and an inspiring Networking Event in collaboration with the Women’s Sport Collective.

The day will start at 2:00pm with an electric Fanzone outside the Essex Sport Arena, complete with music, games, local market stalls and more — creating a festival atmosphere for fans of all ages.

In addition to the Fanzone, the Essex Rebels will host a Networking Event, Lead Like a Rebel, in collaboration with the Women’s Sport Collective from 2:00pm – 4:00pm. Celebrating women who lead in the sports industry, the event will explore how women develop leadership skills, grow confidence, and shape meaningful careers in sport. The programme includes a Structured Networking workshop and a panel discussion (full panel to be announced soon), followed by open networking. All attendees will receive a complimentary ticket to the Essex Rebels Women’s game.

Once the networking wraps up, the basketball takes centre stage with two thrilling matchups: 

• Essex Rebels Women vs Newcastle Eagles — 4:00pm

• Essex Rebels Men vs Hemel Storm — 6:30pm

Whether you're coming to network, support women in sport, or cheer on the Rebels, it’s set to be an inspiring and energetic day celebrating International Women’s Day.

EVENT SCHEDULE

2:00pm — Rebels Fanzone
2:00pm — Lead Like a Rebel Networking Event in collaboration with the Women’s Sport Collective
4:00pm — Essex Rebels Women vs Newcastle Eagles
6:30pm — Essex Rebels Men vs Hemel Storm

**🏸 Join us at the Yonex All England Open Badminton Championship 2026**

We’re delighted to invite you to a very special behind-the-scenes experience at the world’s most iconic badminton tournament on Wednesday 4 March at the Utilita Arena Birmingham

• ✨ 9.45am – Meet in the Sky VIP Lounge

• ✨ 10.00am – Welcome from Sue Storey, CEO, Badminton England

• ✨ 10.30am – Exclusive behind-the-scenes tour

• ✨ From 11.00am – networking and enjoy live championship matches throughout the day

Your place includes a complimentary ticket to the championships, with open seating so you can explore the arena and soak up the atmosphere at your own pace.

The morning will be hosted by Naga Reddy, Women’s Sport Collective Advisory Panel member and former professional badminton player. Huge thanks to Naga and Badminton England for this brilliant opportunity.

Spaces are limited so please be quick.

If you’re based in Switzerland, come along for an informal Women’s Sport Collective gathering near Lausanne Gare station. ( full details when registered)

This is a relaxed coffee meet-up to connect with other women working across sport in the region – a chance to share stories, ideas and build your local network.

📍 Near Lausanne station

☕ Buy your own

👋 New members very welcome

Workshop: Building Confidence for Sport and Life

Join this interactive session to discover how coaches can help young people build confidence through sport—not by making big changes to their sessions, but by viewing what they already do through a new lens. Drawing on Fight for Peace’s experience working with young people through boxing and mentoring, learn how small, everyday moments on the pitch, court, or in the gym can spark lasting confidence that carries into life beyond sport.

You’ll explore practical ways to create confidence-building opportunities through three key coaching behaviours:

• Responsibility: Give young people roles that challenge them and show trust.

• Recognition: Celebrate small wins and positive behaviours, not just results.

• Reflection: Involve young people’s voices in shaping sessions.

Led by Fight for Peace’s Head of Strategic Programmes and Innovation, Ana Vacas, and hear real experiences from Fight for Peace’s Head of Sports, Silvino Domingoes, and boxing coach Percival Tussamba, including Percy’s story of growing in confidence as a young athlete and how he now helps others do the same. 

By the end of the workshop, you’ll be able to:

• See how confidence in sport transfers to life.

• Identify simple coaching behaviours that build confidence.

• Reflect on small changes to enhance your sessions.

The session will finish with an introduction to Life Champions, an online course (developed with UK Coaching) offering tools to further develop young people’s life skills, including communication, problem-solving, and self-awareness.

Huge thank you to the team at Fight for Peace for leading this session.

As conversations around menopause grow across industries, it’s vital we understand the real impact on women in the workplace. Former Sky Sports Producer and Journalist Anna Allerton joins us to share her lived experience of perimenopause, how it reshaped her career path and informs her work now as an Executive Coach.

As co-founder of Field to Boardroom, Anna is purpose-led in creating space for women’s health conversations across the sports sector. In this session, she will offer practical tools to support our own health and explore how, as leaders, we can set the standard for more supportive and inclusive workplaces for women. 

“Always On” with She’s A Baller

The Women’s Sport Collective is pleased to invite WSC members to an interactive in-person “Always On” session and panel hosted by She’s A Baller at their London head office this February.

This session will explore sports marketing and how to build and engage audiences on social, with practical insight from She’s A Baller and the chance to connect with fellow members of the Women’s Sport Collective community.

You’ll hear honest perspectives on what it takes to cut through, build meaningful audiences and create campaigns that resonate — alongside dedicated time to network with women working across sport, marketing and media.

Event details

Event: Always On – with She’s A Baller

Location: She’s A Baller Head Office, London (full address to be shared with attendees)

Date: Wednesday 18 February

Time: 3.00–5.00pm

What we’ll cover

• Always On: Social – building and sustaining engaged audiences

• Always On: Partnerships and campaigns – what works and why

• Always On: Insights – what social audiences are saying

• Always On: Networking – connect with fellow WSC members

This event is open exclusively to Women’s Sport Collective members.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register now to secure your place.

Further details will be shared with confirmed attendees.

Stay connected & build your network as you meet other women working in sport at our monthly online meetings.

Very relaxed & informal. No preparation needed.

Registrations links are in the first pinned post of the closed LinkedIn group and in the monthly newsletters.

This month’s meeting will featuring Antonia Beggs, Head of the Australian Open and GM of Major Events and Operations at Golf Australia.

What to expect

If you've not come to one of our online meetings before, and are feeling a little nervous, let us reassure you with the format...

• As you join the call and you're invited to introduce yourself in the chat area

• It's a nice chance to look across at others on the call and see if there's anyone you know!

• A short welcome from the Host with news of what's coming up for the Women's Sport Collective

• The host works her magic and sends us off into random groups of four where we introduce ourselves and chat about our roles and what we're working on. Very informal, just a chance to get to know 3 women and find out about different areas of the sports industry.

• You're brought back into the main room and we'll hear from a member for about 10 minutes as she chats about her career and anyone can ask questions at the end

• We head back into rooms to meet 3 different women and again make introductions and have an informal chat

• Back into the main room for wrap up and goodbye (and maybe a big group photo).
  
  That's it.

Stay connected & build your network as you meet other women working in sport at our monthly online meetings.

Very relaxed & informal. No preparation needed.

Registrations links are in the first pinned post of the closed LinkedIn group and in the monthly newsletters.

What to expect

If you've not come to one of our online meetings before, and are feeling a little nervous, let us reassure you with the format...

• As you join the call and you're invited to introduce yourself in the chat area

• It's a nice chance to look across at others on the call and see if there's anyone you know!

• A short welcome from the Host with news of what's coming up for the Women's Sport Collective

• The host works her magic and sends us off into random groups of four where we introduce ourselves and chat about our roles and what we're working on. Very informal, just a chance to get to know 3 women and find out about different areas of the sports industry.

• You're brought back into the main room and we'll hear from a member for about 10 minutes as she chats about her career and anyone can ask questions at the end

• We head back into rooms to meet 3 different women and again make introductions and have an informal chat

• Back into the main room for wrap up and goodbye (and maybe a big group photo).
  
  That's it.

Stay connected & build your network as you meet other women working in sport at our monthly online meetings.

Very relaxed & informal. No preparation needed.

Registrations links are in the first pinned post of the closed LinkedIn group and in the monthly newsletters.

What to expect

If you've not come to one of our online meetings before, and are feeling a little nervous, let us reassure you with the format...

• As you join the call and you're invited to introduce yourself in the chat area

• It's a nice chance to look across at others on the call and see if there's anyone you know!

• A short welcome from the Host with news of what's coming up for the Women's Sport Collective

• The host works her magic and sends us off into random groups of four where we introduce ourselves and chat about our roles and what we're working on. Very informal, just a chance to get to know 3 women and find out about different areas of the sports industry.

• You're brought back into the main room and we'll hear from a member for about 10 minutes as she chats about her career and anyone can ask questions at the end

• We head back into rooms to meet 3 different women and again make introductions and have an informal chat

• Back into the main room for wrap up and goodbye (and maybe a big group photo).
  
  That's it.

Webinar: The Impact Player Advantage: Lead Fearlessly into 2026

“Align your vision, play to your strengths and maximise your influence with clarity, confidence, and purpose.”

2026 is yours for the taking, but only if you decide how you want to play it.

This session is your chance to pause, reflect and get intentional about what comes next. Together we’ll help you set your vision with clarity and confidence, align your goals with what really matters to you and harness The Impact Player Advantage: that blend of courage, purpose and grit that women in sport know better than anyone.

Whether you’re stepping into a new role, building influence in your current one, or figuring out what your next challenge looks like, this is your moment to reset, refocus and reignite your fire. We’ll also share how you can connect with a powerhouse community of women from business and sport at Impact Players Belfast, where big conversations and brilliant craic collide.

Thank you to Lisa Strutt & Sinead Sharkey-Steenson.

Want to feel more confident in media interviews and speak clearly in front of the camera or microphone?

Join former BBC journalists Tamsyn Kent and Hannah Morrison for a free, interactive online session designed to boost your communication skills.

You’ll discover how to:

• Get your message across with clarity and impact

• Handle tricky questions with confidence

• Speak with ease in front of the camera or microphone

For deeper, personalised support, you can also sign up for an optional one-to-one virtual coaching workshop. In this safe and focused space, you’ll receive tailored guidance, practice interviews, and constructive feedback to refine your skills.

Join us as Lancashire Cricket Foundation, Sixes Manchester and the Women’s Sport Collective come together for a fantastic afternoon of cricket and networking.

No cricket experience needed!

Venue: Sixes Social Cricket Manchester | Cricket Nets, Simulators & Ultimate Activity Bar Experience | Sixes Social Cricket, The Corn Exchange, Cathedral St, Manchester, M4 3TR

Date: 18th November

Timings:

Arrival between 2pm and 2.30pm. Welcome drink provided.

2.30pm - Introductions and a short 'how to'

3-4pm - cricket opportunity in the batting lanes with support and guidance available

4-6pm space to network in the games room informally including pool table etc. Food and drinks available to purchase.

You don't need to wear anything specific, just clothes you can move around in and probably advisable to leave the stilettos at home.

Thank you to Sixes Manchester and Lancashire Cricket Foundation for hosting the event.

We’re thrilled to welcome Hope Powell CBE to the Women’s Sport Collective Coaching Hub for an exclusive live Q&A.

A true pioneer of women’s football, Hope earned 66 England caps as a player before becoming the Lionesses’ first full-time head coach, leading the team for 15 years. She went on to serve as FA Technical Director and later managed Brighton & Hove Albion in the WSL.

Please join us on Saturday November 8 to watch Sale Sharks Women take on Ealing Trailfinders Women in the PWR.

The Women’s Sport Collective members will meeting for some informal networking in the bar area from 2pm before heading into the stands for kick off at 3pm. It’s unallocated seating so we can all sit together and enjoy what is sure to be an amazing game – especially following Sale’s extraordinary opening performance this weekend.

We’re so grateful to Sarah Perris and Sales Sharks for offering free tickets to Women’s Sport Collective members. Yesterday’s game was a sell out, so be sure to reserve your place quickly! 

Your name will be added to the list at the door for a complimentay place and to join us in the bar. The bar will be open for food and drinks throughout the afternoon. 

Really excited to catch up with many of you in person at this event and / or at the Northern Grit Sporting Glory event the following day on Sunday November 9.

Roundtable Discussion: Pathways, Progression, and Belonging in Coaching

How do coaches build a career, develop their skills, and feel a sense of belonging in the sports they serve? This roundtable discussion will focus on themes from the National Coaching Survey around progression, CPD, and inclusive coaching cultures.

We will consider what helps coaches feel valued, how opportunities (or barriers) appear in career pathways, and what support could make the biggest difference. This is a chance to share experiences, listen to others, and shape ideas for creating better environments for women in coaching.

Focus areas

• Development opportunities: access to CPD, funding, and personal development plans

• Career pathways: clarity of progression routes, promotion opportunities, barriers faced

• Belonging and culture: feeling valued, respected, heard, and culturally safety

Discussion prompt

• What forms of CPD have made the biggest difference for you?

• How do you experience progression (or lack of it) in your sport?

• What would make you feel more valued and supported as a coaches

This roundtable will be led by Tanya Martin, Head of Insight & Innovation at Women in Sport, and Professor Leanne Norman from the Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University. They are leading the first national survey of its kind into the working conditions and culture of coaching across all sports and levels.

About the project

This work forms part of the Women in Coaching Taskforce, a wider project funded by Sport England and led by Women in Sport to transform the experiences of women in coaching. The Taskforce is building a shared understanding to drive lasting change and create better environments that support more women to thrive in coaching.

Join us for the Women’s Sport Collective Manchester Meet-Up

Come and be part of a morning that celebrates the impact of women in sport.

At this meet-up, we’ll hear from Sale Sharks and international rugby players Rhona Lloyd and Courtney Keight, who will share their experiences of rugby, resilience, and shaping the future for women in sport.

You’ll also have the chance to connect with fellow members working across the sector, building the networks and support that sit at the heart of the Women’s Sport Collective.

With thanks to Mills & Reeve for kindly hosting us.

Roundtable Discussion: Coaching as Work – Realities, Challenges, and What Needs to Change

Coaching is one of the most rewarding careers in sport – but also one of the most precarious. Drawing on findings from the new National Coaching Survey, this roundtable will explore the realities of coaching as work: contracts, pay, job security, and the challenge of balancing coaching with wider life commitments.

We will share early insights and invite you to bring your own experiences to the table. Together, we will consider what “good” should look like in coaching and identify where change is most urgently needed.

Focus areas

• Employment conditions: contracts, pay, job security, written agreements

• Work–life balance & caring responsibilities: maternity/parental leave, flexibility, workload

• Why coaches stay/leave: burnout, lack of structure, lack of progression, financial insecurity

Discussion prompts

• Does this reflect your own coaching experience?

• What “minimum standards” would you like to see for coaching work?

• If you could change one thing tomorrow about coaching as work, what would it be?

This roundtable will be led by Tanya Martin, Head of Insight & Innovation at Women in Sport, and Professor Leanne Norman from the Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University. They are leading the first national survey of its kind into the working conditions and culture of coaching across all sports and levels.

About the project

This work forms part of the Women in Coaching Taskforce, a wider project funded by Sport England and led by Women in Sport to transform the experiences of women in coaching. The Taskforce is building a shared understanding to drive lasting change and create better environments that support more women to thrive in coaching.

Join us for a Women’s Sport Collective networking breakfast, taking place at Style of Our Own (SOOO) at 245, Regents Street, London on Thursday October 9 at 9-11am.

SOOO is a first-of-its-kind store built for fans of women’s sport and the people who play it. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to informally build your network with over 100 women working across sport, and hear from two of our members (from Man City Women and Prem Rugby) as they share their career journeys in sport and their learnings along the way.

Join us from 9am for a delicious breakfast as you meet new people and hear about opportunities in sport. The event finishes at 11am when you’re free to explore the rest of the SOOO store which houses over 20 sports brands from predominantly women-led businesses.

We’re so grateful to the Firebird Collective who are supporting this event.