IWG Women & Sport

22/07/2025

Innovation in sport isn’t just about shiny tech, it’s about rethinking who sport is for and how it’s delivered.

At The IWG Global Summit (9-11 July 2026, Birmingham, UK), we’ll explore technologies, designs, and ideas that challenge tradition and drive equity, from athlete-centred products and AI insights to community-led solutions and regenerative models.

Sessions will ask: What if we redesigned sport from the ground up, not just fixing gaps, but centring the people and communities too often left out?

Leading the work to develop this content is Preeti Shetty, CEO of Upshot, a recognised leader in social impact, innovation, and systems change in sport. Preeti brings deep expertise in creating inclusive solutions that drive meaningful, sustainable impact.

She is working with a dedicated team to curate the most meaningful and impactful content, ensuring Innovation sessions move us from conversation to real action for women and girls in sport.

Register your interest today to join these discussions, get updates on speakers, programme highlights, virtual Shift\Sessions and be ready when delegate registrations open on Tuesday 9th September.

👉 www.iwgglobalsummit2026.org

22/07/2025

💪 Joining forces for the continual promotion of gender equality

During the 2025 FISU World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, IWG Women & Sport proudly signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with FISU International University Sports Federation strengthening our long-standing partnership and shared commitment to gender equality in sport and physical activity.

The MOU sets the foundation for joint initiatives and programmes at university level, as we build momentum towards the IWG Global Summit 2026 and beyond.

💬 “By joining forces through this MOU, we will support each other on the continual promotion of gender equality in university sport.” Lisa O’Keefe MBE, IWG Secretary General

💬 “The path towards gender equality is a long one, that is better walked together with strong partners like the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport.” Leonz Eder, FISU President

As part of the occasion, Lisa O’Keefe delivered a keynote at FISU’s Gender Equality Roundtable, exploring global perspectives under the theme ‘Different but equal: understanding and transforming barriers for women in university sports worldwide’.

👏 A special thank you to IWG Global Executive member Rosaura Méndez Gamboa, Chair of the FISU Gender Equality Committee, for facilitating this milestone.

📖 Read more about this meaningful partnership and what’s next for IWG and FISU: https://iwgwomenandsport.org/iwg-bolsters-relationship-with-fisu/

21/07/2025

Leadership in sport goes beyond titles – it’s about shaping cultures and futures.

At The IWG Women & Sport Global Summit (9-11 July 2026, Birmingham, UK), we’ll explore what it means to lead authentically, build inclusive and transformative leadership and challenge outdated norms that hold women and girls back.

Sessions will celebrate trailblazers and everyday change-makers, examine how leadership is nurtured across cultures and ask: Who gets to lead – and how do we redefine what good leadership looks like?

Leading this content development is Jen Browning from UK Sport, who brings extensive experience in shaping leadership development programmes and supporting leaders to drive meaningful, sustainable change.

Jen is working with a dedicated team to curate the most meaningful and impactful content that will move us from conversation to real action on leadership equity and progress in sport.

Register your interest today to join these discussions, get updates on speakers, programme highlights, virtual Shift\Sessions and be ready when delegate registrations open on Tuesday 9th September.

👉 www.iwgglobalsummit2026.org

18/07/2025

It’s time for another behind-the-scenes UPDATE from Lisa O'Keefe MBE, Secretary General of IWG Women & Sport!

This week, Lisa reflects on a milestone moment as we hit the ‘One Year To Go’ mark until the IWG World Conference on Women & Sport lands in Birmingham, UK and shares the growing global excitement around the Summit.

You’ll also hear about:
✅ Her keynote on The Business of Women’s Sport at United by Sport, West Midlands
✅ A powerful panel alongside leaders from GB Snowsport, Deloitte and Admiral Group
✅ A live sport double-header featuring national Judo and Masters Hockey
✅ Five judo federations signed up to the Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration
✅ And why inclusive sport at every age is more important than ever

🔗 Head over to the IWG Women and Sport Global Community on LinkedIn to read Lisa’s full update and stay connected to everything happening across the IWG network:
>> www.linkedin.com/groups/12918053/

17/07/2025

Investment in women’s and girls’ sport is growing – but it’s not just about more money, it’s about investing better.

From athlete-led ventures and grassroots funding to private equity deals and new ownership models, the conversation is shifting. It’s no longer why invest?, but how do we invest better to drive equity, access, and long-term sustainability?

At The IWG Women & Sport Global Summit (9-11 July 2026, Birmingham, UK), we’ll explore who is benefiting, who is still being left behind, and how we build a future that works for everyone.

Leading the work to develop this content area is the brilliant Maggie Murphy, former CEO of Lewes FC and a globally recognised advocate for investment models that balance purpose and performance.

Over the coming months, Maggie will guide conversations and shape content that helps move us from more talk to real action on how strategic investment can transform women’s and girls’ sport worldwide.

Register your interest today to join these discussions, get updates on speakers, programme highlights, and Virtual Shift Sessions, and be ready when delegate registrations open on Tuesday 9th September.

👉 www.iwgglobalsummit2026.org

16/07/2025

The IWG Global Summit: Shifting Conversation into Action

Last week, we marked one year to go until The IWG Global Summit, coming to Birmingham, UK, 9-11 July 2026.

Today, we’re excited to share the main themes that will shape the Summit – the biggest catalysts for meaningful change in women’s and girls’ sport:

💰 Investment | 🌟 Leadership | 💡 Innovation | 👀 Visibility | 🤝 Participation

These priorities will guide the main stage, Shift\Sessions, and regional forums, ensuring every part of the Summit leads to meaningful conversation and sustainable action.

In the lead up, we’ll be diving into each area through our virtual Shift\Session series, strengthening global connections and building momentum ahead of Birmingham 2026.

Over the coming weeks, keep an eye out 👀 for updates on content, speakers, and the incredible people leading this work behind the scenes.

Register your interest today for updates on speakers, programme highlights, and virtual Shift\Sessions, and to book your spot when delegate registrations open on Tuesday 9th September.

👉 www.iwgglobalsummit2026.org



https://youtu.be/mCTUpNjhnpg?feature=shared

THE COUNTDOWN IS ONWe’re officially one year away from the The IWG Global Summit, the world’s foremost gathering on women and sport.Date: 9-11 July 2026Locat...

15/07/2025

One year to go... and the momentum is building.

The IWG Women & Sport Global Summit on Women and Sport is the world’s leading event focused on advancing equity for women and girls in sport.

📅 9–11 July 2026
📍 Birmingham, UK
1,200+ leaders and changemakers
5 bold themes: Investment, Leadership, Innovation, Visibility, Participation

Taking place in 2026 after what promises to be an unforgettable summer of women’s sport, the Summit will turn inspiration into action.

Register your interest now. Delegate registration opens on 9 September 2025.

👉 www.iwgglobalsummit2026.org

15/07/2025

🌏 ASEAN 2025: Breaking Barriers, Building Champions Together

What happens when global leaders unite to elevate women in sport across Southeast Asia?

Last month in Penang, Malaysia, IWG Secretary General Lisa O’Keefe MBE delivered a powerful keynote at the ASEAN Conference on Gender Equity in Sports. Tackling systemic change, showcasing global best practice, and spotlighting the economic and social rise of women’s sport.

Lisa joined government ministers, international experts, and regional leaders to share strategies for driving equity in leadership and coaching, highlight examples from Sport Ireland and World Wheelchair Rugby, and underline the importance of fixing systems, not women. She also introduced exciting plans for the IWG Global Summit in Birmingham 2026.

🎤 From national action plans to Safe Sport strategies and the path to 30% leadership representation, this event was a milestone moment.

👉 Dive into the key takeaways, photos, and full story now on the IWG website.

https://iwgwomenandsport.org/asean-conference-breaking-barriers-building-champions-together/

10/07/2025

IWG Global Summit. 1 Year to Go. Change is Coming…

The countdown is on to the foremost gathering on women and girls in sport.

🗓️ 9-11 July 2026 | Birmingham, UK

At the Summit, you'll be part of a powerful global network gathering to discuss, debate, connect and together drive sustainable change for women and girls in sport.

Visit our website to learn more, watch the Summit trailer, and register your interest for updates, speaker news, and delegate registration opening on Tuesday 9th September

👉 www.iwgglobalsummit2026.org

09/07/2025

👀

Today we’ve started the countdown for a year to go until the IWG Global Summit, the world’s foremost gathering on women and sport!

Join us in Birmingham, UK, 9-11 July 2026, alongside 1,200+ leaders and changemakers and 200+ speakers, as we turn conversation into impactful global action for women and girls in sport.

Over three days, we’ll explore the key themes driving gender equity and equality in sport, including:

💰 Investment, 🌟 Leadership, 💡 Innovation, 👀 Visibility, 🤝 Participation

If you’re a leader, academic, or practitioner in women’s and girls’ sport – at grassroots or elite level – and committed to genuine equity, this event is unmissable.

Register your interest today to be part of this pivotal moment, to receive speaker and content updates, and be first in line when delegate registrations open on Tuesday 9th September.

👉 www.iwgglobalsummit2026.org

09/07/2025

ONE YEAR TO GO!

The countdown is on to The IWG Global Summit – the world’s foremost gathering on women and sport.

📅 9-11 July 2026 | 📍 Birmingham, UK
👥 1,200 leaders & changemakers | 200+ speakers

This year’s UEFA Women’s EUROs and Women’s Rugby World Cup will showcase the incredible progress in women’s sport on the global stage. The IWG Global Summit will build on this momentum, providing a space for leaders to collaborate, debate, share insights, and accelerate meaningful change.

Whether you’re a leader, academic, or practitioner in sport – at grassroots or elite level – if you’re committed to equity, this event is UNMISSABLE!

Across three days, we’ll explore five key themes representing the most pressing issues for gender equity and equality in sport:

💰 Investment, 🌟 Leadership, 💡 Innovation, 👀 Visibility, 🤝 Participation

Register your interest today to join us, get content and speaker updates, and be first in line when delegate registrations open on Tuesday 9th September.

👉 www.iwgglobalsummit2026.org

08/07/2025

🤝 A United Commitment to Gender Equity in Judo

In a significant milestone for the sport, the Judo Home Nations British Judo Association, JudoScotland, England Judo, Welsh Judo, and the Northern Ireland Judo Federation have proudly signed the IWG Women & Sport & Sport Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration.

This bold, collective action reaffirms their shared dedication to gender equity in sport, supporting a global movement that ensures women and girls are fully represented, included, and empowered, both on and off the mat.

📍 The signing took place during the British National Team Championships, attended by judoka, fans, dignitaries, and Lisa O'Keefe MBE, Secretary General of the IWG.

We’re thrilled to welcome the Judo Home Nations into the IWG family as we ramp up for the IWG Global Summit 2026 in Birmingham driving real, positive change together.

🔗 For the full story, read here:

https://iwgwomenandsport.org/judo-home-nations-band-together/