England women continue to inspire according to study

A ground-breaking study spearheaded by the UK’s premier basketball club London Lions, shows how this increased visibility of women’s sport is inspiring a nation as 11 per cent of females say they have tried a sport for the first time this year after seeing women’s sport on TV.

The Lionesses’ journey is set to resonate beyond the confines of the pitch, igniting dreams in aspiring young female athletes nationwide and urging them to partake in grassroots sports endeavours throughout the country.

The Lions’ data underscores the significance of engagement in grassroots sports for young girls, revealing that 28 per cent of females credit their participation in grassroots teams as being the key factor which helped them develop crucial life skills.

The Women’s World Cup has not only given rise to new sports icons but also provided a wellspring of inspiration for budding sportswomen. Alongside this, impressive feats being achieved in other sports, such as the London Lions becoming the first-ever British side to compete in the prestigious EuroLeague Women qualifiers, is helping to provide more inspiration.

The club’s data also revealed that 25 per cent of UK females perceive progression in sports, whether as players or in management roles, is unattainable due to the absence of relatable role models – making this increased success and coverage within women’s sport vital.

The pursuit of sports has the ability not only to contribute to physical well-being but also bolsters mental health, with 32 per cent of females acknowledging that they were more inclined to confide in their teammates about personal challenges during their upbringing than their family,while 16 per cent forged lifelong friendships and a robust support network through their sporting ventures.

Numerous other professional sports domains have taken significant strides towards achieving gender parity, offering young sportswomen role models they can connect with. A noteworthy testament to this progression is the landmark agreement made by the Football Association in 2018, which elevated the Women’s Super League to a fully professional status.

Moreover, substantial investments in grassroots sports have materialised, with organizations like Sport England and Women in Sport diligently working to expand opportunities for women and girls at all levels of sports participation. Yet, an instrumental tool in the journey towards gender equality lies in the visibility and coverage that women’s sports receive.

London Lions have spearheaded several initiatives aimed at fostering female participation in sports, encompassing player and management roles. A pioneering initiative rolled out by the London side entails a unique programme, where aspiring coaches from the UK embark on a fully funded three-month learning expedition to prominent European clubs.

Upon their return, these coaches are presented with opportunities to assume positions within the Lions’ community or professional arms, laying out clear pathways for women to thrive in the realm of sports. In addition to these efforts, the Lions are poised to launch a series of exclusive basketball clinics for females and introduce a set of youth teams, thereby kindling the spirit of participation among young girls throughout the nation.

Vanja Cernivec, general manager of the London Lions women’s team, said: “The London Lions’ data shows a clear intention that British people love attending, participating and being inspired by sport, no matter the gender. I think that highlights the importance of the playing field being level for men’s and women’s sport. The fact that more than half of Brits think there should be equal coverage of both women’s and men’s sport shows the popularity and the need for equal exposure.

“It’s so important to provide equal opportunities for both young boys and girls as well as adults to become engaged in sports. Sport has the ability to help not only physical health but also mental health, it’s crucial that all levels of sport has a good eco-system in place.

“There is a lot that we can do in the sporting eco-system and I think we are only scratching the surface of the potential of women’s sport, not only women being professional athletes but also women being coaches and involved in the business side of sport.

“The one thing that needs to be focused on is sharing the stories of successful women in sport so that young girls and boys can identify with their stories and see it as something possible to emulate. Adding to this, investing in girls and women is important, at some stage I hope it is the norm that whatever is invested in men’s sport is also invested in women.”