Select committee: Women and Equalities Committee
Beyond participation: Routes into sport for girls and women
Open
Opened 26 Mar 2026
Women and Equalities Committee Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Inquiry scope (the committee's words)
The Women and Equalities Committee will examine different ways women and girls can be involved in sport beyond participating as athletes, players and competitors. It will consider coaching, sports science, officiating as referees and umpires, roles in club administration and sports governance, plus access to sports journalism and broadcasting. The inquiry will explore access from grassroots level and pathways to professional and elite careers.
Where it stands
The inquiry is open, opened 26 March 2026.
The committee has not published a report yet.
Evidence
- 4 oral evidence sessionsLatest 14 October 2026
- 1 written submission
- 20 witnesses
Recent activity
- Women and Equalities Committee14 October 2026, Oral evidence
- Dr Renata Brandao, The University of East London (UEL)2 September 2026, Written evidence · BPS0054
- Women and Equalities Committee8 July 2026, Oral evidence
Oral evidence sessions
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| Date | Session and witnesses | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 14 Oct 2026 |
Women and Equalities Committee
Ashley Broadley,
Barbara Slater,
Fiona Tomas,
Flo Lloyd-Hughes,
Leon Mann,
Natalie Pirks
|
View ↗ |
| 8 Jul 2026 |
Women and Equalities Committee
Dr Alice Harkness-Armstrong · University of Essex,
Emma Batchelor · UK Sports Institute,
Gemma Davies · Cardiff Metropolitan University,
Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale · Manchester Metropolitan University,
Professor Leanne Norman · Loughborough University
|
View ↗ |
| 17 Jun 2026 |
Women and Equalities Committee
Alison Hughes MBE,
Lisa Rivers · International Judo Federation,
Sian Massey-Ellis MBE · Professional Game Match Officials
|
View ↗ |
| 3 Jun 2026 |
Women and Equalities Committee
Amy Fazackerley · Coach Core Foundation,
Emily Handyside · UK Coaching,
Hannah Dingley · Manchester City Football Club,
India Perris-Redding · Sale Sharks Women,
Lisa West · Women in Sport,
Lisa Williams · London All Stars Women's Basketball Team
|
View ↗ |
Written evidence
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| Reference | Date | Submitter |
|---|---|---|
| BPS0054 | 2 Sep 2026 | Dr Renata Brandao, The University of East London (UEL) |
Who gave evidence
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| Witness | Organisation | Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Alison Hughes MBE | Not recorded | 1 |
| Amy Fazackerley · National Partnership Manager | Coach Core Foundation | 1 |
| Ashley Broadley | Not recorded | 1 |
| Barbara Slater | Not recorded | 1 |
| Dr Alice Harkness-Armstrong · Lecturer in Performance Analysis | University of Essex | 1 |
| Emily Handyside · Coach Programme and Pathway Manager | UK Coaching | 1 |
| Emma Batchelor · Head of Performance Health at England and GB Hockey | UK Sports Institute | 1 |
| Fiona Tomas | Not recorded | 1 |
| Flo Lloyd-Hughes | Not recorded | 1 |
| Gemma Davies · Senior Lecturer in Sport Performance Analysis | Cardiff Metropolitan University | 1 |
| Hannah Dingley · Girls' Head of Academy | Manchester City Football Club | 1 |
| India Perris-Redding · Women's Talent ID Manager | Sale Sharks Women | 1 |
| Leon Mann | Not recorded | 1 |
| Lisa Rivers · World Tour Judo Referee | International Judo Federation | 1 |
| Lisa West · Head of Policy, Partnerships and Public Affairs | Women in Sport | 1 |
| Lisa Williams · Head Coach | London All Stars Women's Basketball Team | 1 |
| Natalie Pirks | Not recorded | 1 |
| Professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale · Prof. of Female Endocrinology and Exercise Physiology | Manchester Metropolitan University | 1 |
| Professor Leanne Norman · Prof. of Women in Sport and the Director of the Women in Sport Research & Innovation Hub | Loughborough University | 1 |
| Sian Massey-Ellis MBE · Premier League Assistant Referee and FIFA Video Match Official | Professional Game Match Officials | 1 |