Supporting the Women’s Sport Trust

Scrumqueens.com were delighted to be part of the launch of the Women’s Sport Trust last night,a grant giving body dedicated to raising the profile and changing the perception of women’s sport in the UK.

The new organisation will be the only grant giving body specifically and solely focused on women's sport, making it easy for individuals and organisations to make a difference.

The WST is backed by a diverse range of elite female athletes along with representatives from business and the media. Kelly Smith MBE joins Anna Watkins as a Patron, with other athlete supporters including Shelly Rudman, Elinor Barker and Liz Yelling, along with a number of high profile female business leaders including Justine Roberts, the Founder and CEO of Mumsnet.

Women’s rugby is also well represented. Former England captain Sue Day is a Trustee and current England players Katy McLean and Micheala Staniford are athlete supporters alongside another former England captain Catherine Spencer. Also in attendance last night was Welsh women’s player Philippa Tuttiett. Scrumqueens.com has also signed up as a media ally of the organisation.

Anna Watkins MBE, Olympic Gold Medal Rower and Patron of the WST, and explains : “We see ourselves as much as a movement as a grant giving body - focused on attracting new funding and profile for women’s sport. We have been amazed and delighted by the remarkable response we’ve already had to the Trust. People are clearly thrilled to have an opportunity to make a difference to women’s sport.”

The WST will be attracting new funding into women’s sport – providing multiple routes for corporate partners and individuals to donate. A Grants Panel, Chaired by Olympic Medallist and GB Hockey Captain Kate Walsh, will shortlist applicants before those who have donated have the chance to vote on where their money is spent.

Further explaining the rationale for establishing the WST, one of its founders, Tammy Parlour, said: “Like many others, I was hugely inspired and moved by the incredible impact of so many strong and female sports role models during last year’s Olympic Games. We want the WST to build on this, and support the legacy for women sport in the UK. Sport is one of the most important public arenas and has the potential to shift how women are seen and how they see themselves.”

In addition to attracting new funding and driving sports participation, the Women’s Sport Trust is already forging strong media partnerships, enabling leading journalists, broadcasters and newspapers to further engage in progressing women’s sport.Seeherefor more