The Women in Sport Podcast The Women in Sport Podcast

Minette Batters is President of the National Farmer's Union, the first women to hold the post in the organisation's 115 year history. Alongside leading the NFU, which represents more than 46,000 farming and growing businesses, Minette runs a family farm in Wiltshire. 

She chats to us about the impact that sport has had on her life. The skills she acquired through playing team sport at school which has given her the ability to lead a team, communicate effectively and provided her with the resilience to overcome adversity and failure. 

Minette also talks about her love of running and her passion for protecting and championing green spaces so that more people are able to enjoy being active in nature. 

About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise. Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so.

Find out more about us here

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 made history with Women's, Wheelchair and Men’s teams competing concurrently at the tournament. For the first time in a major tournament all participants were paid the same participation fee and given equal standard of accommodation, transport, and training facilities.

Also, in a watershed moment for the women's game, every match was broadcast live on the BBC and promoted to a new generation of players and supporters.

So, what has this tournament done to inspire change, both at the elite and grassroots ends of the game?

To discuss the legacy of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, we're joined by: England International Jodie Cunningham, Stacey Knight Non-Exec Director, Rugby League World Cup 2021 and Tracey Power the tournament's Social Impact Director.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor CSM Live
Cover Image: SWPix

About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise. Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so.

Find out more about us here

When researching the lives of teenage girls Women in Sport uncovered the powerful relationship that exists between mums and daughters. Teenage girls view their mum or mum figure as someone that they want to be active with, without the fear of judgement. This led to the creation of Women in Sport's #TimeTogether campaign. 

We know that: 




6 out of 10 teenage girls are not meeting the physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes activity per day



1.3 million teenage girls opt out of sport when transitioning from primary to secondary school due to puberty, confidence and supportive environments. 



48% of girls tell us their mum encourages and supports them to be active. Yet women in midlife are time poor
In this episode we'll explore some of the barriers that prevent girls from being active and explore how mums/mum figures can be part of the solution.

We're joined by Kate Nicholson, Head of Insight and Innovation at Women in Sport, Kirsty McNab, CEO Scottish Sport's Futures and her teenage daughter Ella.

About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise. Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so.

Find out more about us here

Two years ago we discovered half as many girls as boys dream of reaching the top of sport - a gap we coined the 'Dream Deficit.'

2022 has put women's sport centre stage. The success of the Lionesses at the Euros was momentous, the passion, talent and positive team dynamic on display was incredible to watch. It was closely followed by a raft of brilliant performances at the Commonwealth Games.

But has the inspirational summer we've had done anything to shift the dial? Can girls now see a place at the top of sport for them?

To discuss the results of Women in Sport's latest 'Dream Deficit' survey I am joined by the charity's CEO Stephanie Hilborne and Hannah Dingley, Academy Manager at Forest Green Rovers.

About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise. Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so. 

Find out more about us here

This episode is sponsored by CSM Live 

The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham featured the largest integrated para sport programme in the competition’s history with 42 parasport events across eight sports, with over 350 athletes taking part.

While the growth of parasport at elite level is fantastic, many disabled women and girls face a double discrimination when it comes to sport and exercise. 

Now the excitement of the 2022 Games is over the focus has to be on what legacy it can achieve.  

On this episode Sarah is joined by former Paralympic swimmer and BBC broadcaster Kate Grey and Emma Wiggs MBE who is a double Paralympic gold medal winner and ten-time World Champion para canoeist!

We talk about: 





How the Commonwealth Games has given parasport a stage and how that's inspired more girls into sport. 
Why para sport must be able to grow as an event in its own right. 
How media has changed the narrative around performance and disability. 
How schools and coaches can foster a more inclusive environment for girls with a disability. 
How we can all play a part in breaking down barriers to activity for disabled women and girls. 



About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise. Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so. 



Find out more about us here

This episode is sponsored by CSM Live 

Throughout history the humble bicycle has helped women gain mobility, increased social and political freedom and brought countless hours of joy. Yet, barriers still preventing many women from getting in the saddle.