Press releases
To get in touch with the WSFF Press Office please telephone
Harriet Foxwell on 020 7273 1744 or email
harriet@wsff.org.uk.
- 22nd June 2009
ICC World Twenty20 2009 Champions
Giles Clarke, the England and Wales Cricket Board chairman, hailed Charlotte Edwards' England team after they beat New Zealand to win the inaugural ICC Women's World Twenty20 in front of a crowd of 15,000 at Lord's Cricket Ground.
- 1st June 2009
THE SUNWALK NEWCASTLE IS BACK
Breast cancer charity Walk the Walk is delighted to announce that The SunWalk Newcastle, a new Power Walking charity challenge for the North East will be returning to Exhibition Park on Sunday 19th July.
- 22nd March 2009
England Win ICC Women's World Cup
The England Women's cricket team, led by inspirational captain Charlotte Edwards, today won the ICC Women's World Cup after beating New Zealand by four wickets at the North Sydney Oval.
- 21st March 2009
England Women crowned RBS 6 Nations Champions
England Women retained their RBS 6 Nations crown on Saturday at London Welsh RFC, and in doing so became the first women's team to ever record four back-to-back Six Nations titles.
- 16th February 2009
WSFF Welcomes Call for Gender Equality by Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell
The Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) welcomes Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell's call for gender equality in the Olympics and Paralympics.
- 1st January 2009
The Womens Sport and Fitness Foundation Appoints New Chair of Trustees
The Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) has appointed Hugh Chambers as its new Chair of Trustees. His role at WSFF will see him Chair the board, whilst applying his experience in marketing communications and sports sponsorship to help advise the charity's work increasing physical activity among women and girls.
- 24th November 2008
High Street Holds the Answer to the Crisis in Womens Sport
Four out of five women would play more sport if it were more like shopping at Marks and Spencer and Primark
- 1st September 2008
Jessica Taylor Launches Campaign to Sweat in the City
The Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) has announced Sweat in the City (www.sweatinthecity.co.uk), an innovative research project designed to win a better understanding of how to motivate women to become more active.
Run in partnership with the Fitness Industry Association (FIA), Sweat in the City is offering 3,000 16 - 24 year old women who live in London and currently do little or no exercise, a unique package of free and mentored gym membership.
The programme's ambassador, Jessica Taylor, officially launched the programme today (1 September).
- 21st July 2008
Commission to Address Crisis in Womens Sport Announced
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Andy Burnham, MP, will tomorrow (Tuesday 22 July) announce the Commission on the Future of Women's Sport, a new, independent body set up to address the current crisis in women's sport.
Including Dame Kelly Holmes, Ed Smith, Heather Rabbatts and chaired by Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, the Commission shall be made up of senior figures from sport, politics, business, academia and media to tackle the issues outlined within the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation's (WSFF) annual Women in Sport Audit.
- 5th March 2008
WSFF BOOST GIRLS WITH ENERGY
The Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) today launched an education initiative for schools across the country, in a bid to tackle the increasing levels of physical inactivity amongst young girls. The 'Energy Project', a collaboration with the Helen Storey Foundation and Creative Partnerships London East and South, has been designed to increase energy levels, by experimenting with ways to build physical activity into the whole school day looking at breakfast clubs and break time as well as during lessons.
- 14th December 2007
Holiday contact details
WSFF offices will be closed between December 22nd 2007 and January 1st 2008 inclusive. For any urgent business or media enquiries please call Cassie Smith on 07860 823523. Seasons greetings to you all.
- 4th December 2007
Gritty new drama tackling youth culture and football scores high acclaim
A new play tackling the youth culture surrounding football has proved a massive hit in schools across the UK.
Full Time tells the story of a group of young people who play football. It aims to provoke debate about society and the game, and through this challenge attitudes relating to sexism, racism and homophobia.
- 28th November 2007
'Changing the Game of Women's Sport' exhibition opens in London
'Changing the Game of Women's Sport', an exhibition curated by Nike to celebrate and elevate the profile of some of the country's finest sportswomen - their strength, passion and individuality - opened today in central London.
- 17th October 2007
Eid Sports Festival
The Muslim Women's Sport Foundation will be holding an Eid Sports Festival on 27 October from 10.30am to 4.30pm in Watford - please refer to the following link for further details - http://www.mwsf.org.uk/eid_sports_festival.html
- 10th October 2007
Debbie Jevans to address conference crowd
Debbie Jevans, Director of Sport, London 2012 Organising Committee to address Raising the Game: the Future for Women's Sport conference on November 15th at the Emirates Stadium.
- 10th October 2007
Rivals come together to support One Game, One Community
Rivals come together to support One Game, One Community
week of action
Local football rivalries will be put aside when players from Birmingham and Aston Villa FC join young people from the West Midlands for a day of educational activities at St Andrews Stadium this Tuesday (16th October).
- 20th September 2007
Ethnic Minority Women to set out goals in the game
The involvement of one of the most excluded groups in football will be discussed at English football's headquarters next month.
A summit examining barriers to the participation of ethnic minority women in football will take place on Monday 22nd October at The Football Association Headquarters in Soho Square, as part of the 'One Game, One Community' Week of Action.
- 1st August 2007
Half-time for women's sports coaching initiative
The Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation's (WSFF) Women into Coaching 2 - London (WiC2) programme celebrates not only its first anniversary today but, one year into the two-year programme, 50% of the 200 course spaces available have been filled.
- 4th July 2007
WSFF welcomes The FA's announcement on mixed football
The Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation welcomes the announcement of a one year trial which will look at the effects of extending mixed football for the 11 to 14-year-old age group. This ultimately means that girls like Minnie Cruttwell will be able to continue to play with their local club.
- 26th June 2007
28 million pound income is ignored as Charlton cut their women's team over financial woes
The Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSF) regrets Charlton's decision, today, to cut the funding from their women's football team and pass the buck onto a private sector sponsor. They have explained that the decision is the result of their relegation, but the upcoming transfer of Darren Bent - rumoured to be around £17 million - and incoming 'parachute payments' - rumoured to be around £11 million - mean Peter Varney's concerns, over finding £100,000, come up against a completely different backdrop.
- 26th June 2007
28 million pound income is ignored as Charlton cut their women's team over financial woes
The Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF) regrets Charlton's decision, today, to cut the funding from their women's football team and pass the buck onto a private sector sponsor. They have explained that the decision is the result of their relegation, but the upcoming transfer of Darren Bent - rumoured to be around £17 million - and incoming 'parachute payments' - rumoured to be around £11 million - mean Peter Varney's concerns, over finding £100,000, come up against a completely different backdrop.
- 27th May 2007
***Updated*** Mixed football is a great first step but now we need the same commitment to progress the women's game
The Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation welcomes the announcement today, by the FA, to consider extending mixed football for the 11 to 14-year-old age group. This ultimately means that girls, like Minnie Cruttwell, can continue to play with their local club after the after the age of 11.
- 5th April 2007
WSF urges sports world to welcome more women and girls into sport
Friday April 6th 2007 heralds the arrival of a key piece of legislation with the potential to change the face of women's sport for generations to come.
The long-awaited Gender Equality Duty (GED) comes into force tomorrow, and places a statutory obligation on all public authorities to promote equality of opportunity between men and women and eliminate discrimination and harassment.
- 19th March 2007
England women crowned RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam champions
England Women were crowned the RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam champions for a second consecutive year on Saturday after an emphatic 30-0 victory over Wales at Taff's Well RFC.
- 15th March 2007
Kennedy reaches landmark cap total
Scotland Women's captain, Donna Kennedy, will win her 100th cap for her country on Sunday (18 March) as she takes the field against France for the final game of the 2007 RBS 6 Nations Championship.
- 8th March 2007
UK women fall at first hurdle in International Sport Stakes
As International Women's Day dawns, new research by the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF) reveals UK women to be some of the least active in the world.
- 7th March 2007
Women Still Under-represented in sporting Roles
Only one in five women take part in regular sport and active recreation
This is one of the key findings as UK Sport today publish their 'Women in Sport - The State of Play' report, examining the role of women in terms of participation, performance & excellence and leadership. The purpose of the report, the only one of its kind in the UK, is to raise awareness of any inequalities that women face at all levels and, in turn, to influence sports policy.
- 22nd February 2007
WSF welcomes AELTCs long over-due decision to provide equal prize money for men and women
The Womens Sports Foundation (WSF) today welcomes the announcement that the All-England Lawn Tennis Club will pay equal prize money to men and women at this year's tournament.
- 7th December 2006
New figures reveal the shocking gender divide in sport
Findings from the new Active People survey - released today by Sport England - confirm the long-held view that women's participation in sport and physical activity is at a disturbingly low level.
- 6th December 2006
WSF welcomes FA charges for Mike Newell
The Womens Sports Foundation today welcomes the charge of improper conduct handed down by the FA, to Mike Newell, in relation to his comments on assistant referee Amy Rayner on 11th November.
- 13th November 2006
WSF condemns comments from Mike Newell
WSF today condemns the distasteful comments made by Luton manager Mike Newell, relating to Amy Rayner, after the game with QPR.
- 3rd November 2006
New Chief Executive for the Womens Sports Foundation
WSF welcomes its new Chief Executive, Sue Tibballs. As a new member of the WSF team, Sue brings her experience as a campaigner in the voluntary sector; as a consultant to government and the United Nations; as Campaign Manager at the Body Shop International; and most recently as Projects Director and board member of the consumer think tank, the Future Foundation.
- 27th October 2006
'In Conversation with Clare Balding' at the WSF AGM
Spend an evening with former Sports Presenter of the Year, Clare Balding at the Womens Sports Foundation AGM on Thursday 16th November at their Head Office in central London. Currently one of the BBC's most well known faces Clare will share her experiences as a high profile woman in sport and the media and her role as a WSF Patron.
- 27th October 2006
WSF welcomes news that Sky Sports will broadcast the Netball Superleague.
A new deal will bring the first regular coverage of domestic netball on British TV. Featuring international stars from England and the other home nations, the Netball Superleague is the most prestigious netball competition in the Uk. A total of 17 matches will be shown from the tournament, starting on Thursday 30 November.
- 19th October 2006
The WSF welcomes: The Fair Game - A chance to speak to England Women's Football Captain
The parks and football fields of England are full of children trying to emulate the likes of Beckham and Rooney but soon it may be the name of England Womens captain, Faye White that is written on the backs of their replica shirts.
- 25th July 2006
Womens football scores winner with MP's
Following today's publication of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee report into women's football, the WSF has fully endorsed the recommendations made by the group. They wholly support the establishment of a task force to produce a blueprint for the future of women's football and look forward to being involved.
- 20th July 2006
One hundred more years of hurt
The WSF today published a report outlining that the coverage women's sport in the national and regional print media has increased by a mere 1.5% over the last three years. With the pace of change in coverage so excruciatingly slow, it is predicted that women's sport coverage will not receive the space, detail, consistency and prominence of men's sport until 2106.
- 19th May 2006
Sporting Equals releases £1 million for sport
Sporting Equals, the UK's leading initiative for promoting racial equality in sport, has announced today that it will be distributing £1 million in grants through the Sport for Communities project.
- 24th February 2006
Women denied chance to shine in top sport positions
The most alarming statistic outlined in a new report published today shows that women are ignored in three out of four decision-making positions in sport.
- 24th February 2006
REPORT: Women denied chance to shine in top sport positions
UK STRATEGY FRAMEWORK - Progress made towards objectives and targets set for 2005 and analysis of the current situation for women and sport.
- 7th November 2005
It's not all bad news - girl's do enjoy being active!
New research published today shows that girls do enjoy doing PE and sport!
- 7th November 2005
Older women's views on physical activity
Groundbreaking new research was published today by the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF), which has highlighted some interesting views of older women and their physical activity behaviour.
- 24th October 2005
What Works for Women?
A new and innovative website has been launched today by the Womens Sports Foundation to help sports deliverers increase physical activity levels among women and girls in the UK.
- 19th April 2005
New Coaching Opportunities for London's Women
"This is a fantastic opportunity for women and complements the UK Vision for Coaching within London. An amazing opportunity that should not be missed!"
- 15th March 2005
Women in Sport in the East of England Research
The WSF has recently released research examining sport and physical activity for women and girls across the East of England.
- 14th March 2005
Women still missing out on top jobs
Women continue to be under-represented on the decision-making boards and committees of British sporting bodies according to a new report complied by WSF on behalf of UK Sport.
- 16th February 2005
Victory parade on the way?
A CRICKET WORLD CUP, a football European Championship (WOMEN'S EURO 2005), and an Ashes test series - it's a sensational season ahead for England's women.
- 25th November 2004
FA formally announce plans for England's Euro 2005
The Football Association has today announced its plans to bring a prestigious European sporting event to the North West of England, with five venues hosting games next June. The 6th UEFA European Women's Championship will be staged from June 5-19 2005.
- 18th November 2004
WSF's internal conference inspires record attendance
"Truly inspirational", "the best conference that I have ever been to", just two of the comments received from delegates following the recent WSF conference at Trent Bridge, Notts.
- 15th November 2004
Call to stop marginalisation in sport at Equality Standards launch
Issues regarding the nation's long-term state of physical and social health were at the heart of the launch of the UK Equality Standard for Sport.
- 11th November 2004
MP's back new approach to fighting physical inactivity
The WSF launched their much anticipated SPA campaign last week at a reception packed with Olympic athletes, media representatives and key Members of Parliament.
- 11th November 2004
Why is physical activity such a turn-off?
Groundbreaking new research begins this week in a bid to uncover why the nation's women are universally failing to participate in enough sport and physical activity.
- 3rd September 2004
We could have beaten Germany!
WSF has a vision for Beijing - if the same number of women compete as men we have a potential 6 more medals to win, finishing above Germany in the medals table.
- 2nd April 2004
Womens Sports Foundation's New Look, New Space
Following an incredibly exciting year with continued work alongside the media, politicians and sports agencies, the WSF has announced that it will be re-locating offices as of April 19th 2004.
- 15th March 2004
Shouting Loud for Womens Sport
Womens' sport is receiving a timely boost in parliament and the media following the recent re-launch of the Womens Sport Foundation.
- 11th February 2004
Laura Davies to appear in the ANZ tournament, Australia
The WSF today welcomed the media focus on one of Britain's most consistently outstanding sports stars, Laura Davies.
- 19th November 2003
Womens Sports Foundation slams appalling media coverage of female sport in Britain
A damning new report released today by the Womens Sports Foundation has revealed the massive disparity between media coverage of mens and womens sport in Britain.