Hartpury University and Hartpury College convened senior leaders from across sport, politics and the private sector in Westminster this week to explore how funding, philanthropy and policy can accelerate investment and equity for women’s sport.
The Women in Sport event, hosted by Hartpury at the House of Commons on 17 March, brought together policymakers, elite athletes, investors and sector leaders to examine how public funding, private capital and philanthropy can combine to support sustainable growth in women’s sport, from grassroots participation through to elite performance.
The event was sponsored by Matt Bishop, Member of Parliament for the Forest of Dean, and focused on identifying practical solutions to ensure the rapid growth and visibility of women’s sport is matched by long-term investment, stronger talent pathways and inclusive opportunities for women and girls across the UK.
The discussion took place during a period of unprecedented momentum for women’s sport. In 2024, women’s sport reached 44.17 million viewers in the UK, representing an increase of nearly 40% in two years, while global revenues from women’s elite sport are projected to reach £1.8 billion in 2025.
Despite this progress, speakers highlighted that structural barriers remain, including unequal access to facilities, fragmented funding pathways and ongoing social and cultural challenges affecting participation and retention.
Andy Collop, Chief Executive, Executive Principal and Vice-Chancellor of Hartpury University and Hartpury College, said: “Women’s sport has reached an extraordinary moment of growth and visibility, but the next phase will depend on sustained collaboration across government, investors, educational institutions and sporting organisations.
“Events like this are about moving beyond discussion and identifying practical ways we can accelerate investment, strengthen talent pathways and ensure women and girls have equal opportunities to participate and succeed in sport.”
The panel discussion was chaired by Rebecca Dennis, CEO of Gloucester Hartpury Women’s Rugby, and featured leading figures from across the sector (a number of whom are Hartpury alumni) including Red Roses captain and World Cup winner Zoe Stratford, Ireland women’s rugby captain Samantha Monaghan, rugby legend turned presenter Maggie Alphonsi MBE and former Olympian Charlotte Hodgkins-Byrne.
Speakers discussed the importance of long-term funding models, improved access to facilities for women and girls, and the need for stronger collaboration between schools, colleges, universities and elite clubs to create sustainable talent pathways.
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, Chief Executive of Women in Sport, said: “The growth of women’s sport in recent years has been transformative, but we must ensure that progress is felt by women and girls at every level.
“Continued investment in facilities, pathways and female-friendly environments will be essential to unlock the full social, economic and health benefits of women’s sport.”
The event also explored how targeted investment can support participation among under-represented groups and ensure that opportunities in sport reach diverse communities across the UK.
Insights and recommendations from the discussion will now be collated and shared with relevant stakeholders and government departments including the Department for Culture, Media and Sport to help inform future policy and investment priorities for women’s sport.
