Yesterday at the House of Commons an elite group of 20 British sportswomen gathered for the launch of the Women’s Sporting Calendar and to support ’UsGirls’ – the Sport England funded organisation which is developing sport for young women in disadvantaged communities across the country.
The event was was extremely timely in light of the BBC Sports Personality Awards nominations and as such sparked much needed publicity about the lack of coverage women’s sport. The subject was the hot topic amongst the gathered athletes who included Charlotte Edwards MBE England’s Cricket Captain, Maggie Alphonsi of England Rugby and Tamsin Greenway of England Netball.
” It [BBC SPOTY] has actually been a really positive thing, so many people are talking about it. For me it was frustrating, but no real surprise as we are all well aware of the lack of coverage here compared to Australia for example. I played in a semi-pro league there and we were treated like sports stars and played in front of huge crowds, it was amazing and I really believe it can be like that here too. In many ways it’s been fantastic that no women were voted as it has shone a spotlight on the whole issue,” Tamsin Greenway of Surrey Storm and England Netball.
Also in attendance were MPs Barbara Keeley and Tracey Crouch, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Sarah Winckless (British Olympic Athletes Commission), Dominic Raab MP, Ron Wilson MP and Jennie Price (CEO, Sport England)
(from bottom left) Beth Storry – GB Hockey, Alison Waters – England Squash & Racketball, Katie-Jemima Yeats-Brown – GB judo, Nicolla Weekes – England Rounders, Tamsin Greenway – England Netball, Sarah McKay, GB Basketball, Sarah Winckless – Chair of the British Olympic Athletes’ commission, Charlotte Edwards – England Cricket, Jennie Price- CEO Sport England, Barbra Keeley MP, Maggie Alphonsi – England Rugby, Marie Lucas – GB Dragon boating and Kylie Grimes – GB Wheelchair Rugby.
If you would like to win a 2012 women’s sports calendar just click here – today is your last chance to enter!
For more information please visit: www.usgirls.org.uk
Danielle Sellwood, Sportsister
The Women’s Sports Magazine
