Football Came Home - or Women's Sports still at the back of the queue?
For generations, the phrase “football’s coming home” echoed as a nostalgic dream — a yearning for glory often left unfulfilled. But now, after a string of historic wins, the chant carries new weight, new heroes, and a bold new direction. Because football has come home — brought by women.
Redefining Greatness
With the Lionesses’ electric 3-1 victory over Spain in the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euro final, England made history. This wasn’t just a win — it was a defining moment:
First England team (men or women) to defend a major international trophy
Three consecutive finals: Euros 2022, World Cup 2023, Euros 2025
First major trophy won on foreign soil
Over 10 million viewers tuned in — ITV’s most-watched broadcast this year
And Sarina Wiegman, the tactical mastermind at the helm, became the first manager in history to reach five consecutive major tournament finals — across two national teams. She’s not just rewriting records; she’s reimagining leadership in football.
| Year | Team | Tournament | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Netherlands | Women’s Euro | Champions |
| 2019 | Netherlands | Women’s World Cup | Runners-up |
| 2022 | England | Women’s Euro | Champions |
| 2023 | England | Women’s World Cup | Runners-up |
| 2025 | England | Women’s Euro | Champions |
Wiegman now boasts an 84% tournament win rate — eclipsing even the sport’s most storied names. The greatest football manager of all time?
Equal Pay, Equal Play?
Behind the roar of victory though lies a quieter question: why aren’t these triumphs reflected in pay, bonuses, and broadcast equity?
Despite matching — and surpassing — the achievements of their male counterparts, the Lionesses continue to face pay disparities. Only after intense media pressure did UEFA commit to equal prize money for men and women’s Euros by 2028. England’s 2025 win accelerated these calls.
Meanwhile, ad spend and sponsorship deals now flood women’s football, with players like Leah Williamson and Lauren James representing global brands from tech to couture. But contracts and match-day bonuses still lag far behind.
The Lionesses have proven that athletic greatness knows no gender. Isn’t it time pay packets acknowledged it too?
Broadcast Battles & Cultural Shifts
In 1921, the FA banned women’s football, calling it “unsuitable.” A century later, pubs kept doors open past midnight so fans could celebrate the Lionesses’ win — and Parliament debated licensing laws to make it permanent, along with an extra Bank Holiday too.
ITV’s coverage of the Euros 2025 semi-final hit 10 million viewers - a record for the year
Youth participation surged by over 40% among girls
BBC announced a new weekly women’s football show post-tournament
These aren’t tokens — they’re tectonic shifts. Women’s football is no longer a niche. It’s mainstream. It’s magnetic.
From Pitches to Parliament
And the victory has stirred more than football fever. It’s reignited debates over:
Gender equality in sport funding
School curriculum reforms to include more women's sport
Broadcast licensing parity for women’s events
Campaigns like #LevelThePitch are demanding legislative action, from equal bonus mandates to minimum funding guarantees across grassroots academies.
Even the UN — amid its 2025 summit — acknowledged the Lionesses’ cultural impact during deliberations on sports as a force for gender equity.
Football’s New Legacy
This isn’t about just winning matches. It’s about rewriting narratives.
Football came home — led by players who were once told they couldn’t play. Coached by a manager who’s now the gold standard. Watched by millions who saw not just skill, but strength, unity, and possibility.
It came home with chants not just of victory, but of visibility. With stadiums full of young girls who no longer dream of being like Ronaldo — but like Russo.
The Lionesses didn’t just bring football home. They brought with it a vision of sport where success isn’t measured by gender — but by greatness.
Beyond football, the UK is fast becoming the global superpower in women’s sport, with elite performances and cultural influence spanning rugby, cricket, tennis, golf, and more.
The Red Roses are favourites to win the Women’s Rugby World Cup on home soil this autumn, while England’s women’s cricket team is chasing the Ashes and preparing for the World Cup in India.
Wimbledon continues to showcase world-class talent, and the AIG Women’s Golf Open in Wales is drawing record crowds and sponsorships.
London, in particular, has emerged as a broadcasting and sporting hub, with calls for new Freeview pop-up channels covering events like the Boat Race, Netball Super League, and The Hundred cricket series. These aren’t just competitions — they’re cultural moments.
From Queen’s Club hosting women’s tennis for the first time in 50 years to para-athletics and aquatics championships gaining prime-time slots, the UK is setting the pace for visibility, equity, and innovation in sport.
Yet Lionesses aside there's still scope for key reforms and policies that could help the UK cement its global leadership in football and sport, drawing on lessons from the USA and leveraging the unique infrastructure of the 92-club system:
1. National Stadium Equity Fund
Create a central fund to upgrade stadiums across all 92 clubs, prioritizing accessibility, sustainability, and community use.
Inspired by the NFL’s G-4 loan program, which co-finances stadium renovations with league oversight.
2. Equal Broadcast Mandate
Legislate equal airtime and licensing support for women’s and grassroots matches across BBC, ITV, and Freeview.
Modelled on Title IX media parity in US college sports, ensuring visibility drives participation.
3. Youth Development Tax Credit
Offer tax incentives to clubs investing in academy systems, coaching, and safeguarding.
Mirrors the US collegiate scholarship model, but adapted for UK club pathways.
4. Fan Governance Boards
Mandate fan advisory boards at all 92 clubs, with voting rights on heritage issues (stadium moves, shirt colours, club name).
Builds on the Football Governance Act 2025, and Government Golden Share but deepens democratic engagement.
5. School–Club Integration Scheme
Link every club to local schools for year-round coaching, mentoring, and matchday access.
Echoes the US high school–college pipeline, but with UK clubs, such as Charlton Athletic, as anchors for community sport.
6. Global Talent Exchange
Launch a UK–USA football fellowship, allowing coaches and youth players to train abroad and develop the under-nourished USA, China and India markets
Builds on the success of UK International Soccer’s BSc program in the US.
7. Stadium Heritage Protection Act
Extend statutory protections to all 92 stadiums, preserving architecture, murals, and fan zones.
Inspired by US National Historic Landmark status, but tailored to football’s cultural footprint.
8. Transparent Club Licensing
Require clubs to publish annual governance and financial reports, including EDI metrics.
Reinforces the Independent Football Regulator’s licensing regime.
9. Multi-Sport Broadcast Channel
Launch a Freeview pop-up channel showcasing women’s rugby, cricket, golf, and niche sports like rowing and para-athletics.
Builds on the success of Lionesses coverage, expanding the UK’s soft power in sport.
10. Sport Science & Data Hub
Create a national AI-powered analytics centre for injury prevention, talent scouting, and match analysis — accessible to all 92 clubs.
Inspired by NFL’s Next Gen Stats and NBA’s biometric tracking, but democratized for UK clubs.
And reforms by sport are surely an open goal for Women Ministers and MP's:
Football (Soccer)
Media coverage still lags: only 4% of global sports media covers women’s sport.
Despite the Lionesses’ historic wins, pay and bonuses remain unequal.
Men in Blazers has expanded its coverage to include stars like Sam Mewis and Emily Fox, but the brand’s roots — and much of football media — remain male-dominated.
Basketball
WNBA salaries average ~$130K vs. NBA’s ~$9.6M.
ACL injuries disproportionately affect women due to anatomical and training gaps.
Media exposure is minimal, limiting sponsorship and career longevity.
Cheerleading
Often dismissed as “not a sport,” yet it has the highest catastrophic injury rate among female sports.
Lacks formal protections and funding, despite intense physical demands.
Equestrian Sports
Horseback riding ranks high in injury risk — especially head trauma and spinal injuries.
Safety gear and training standards often lag behind male-dominated disciplines.
Volleyball & Netball
Uniform regulations can be sexist — e.g., fines for wearing shorts instead of bikini bottoms.
Cultural norms and lack of investment hinder growth outside elite tournaments.
Track & Field
Dropout rates spike during puberty due to body changes, lack of support, and gendered expectations.
Girls are less likely to be encouraged by parents or schools to pursue athletics.
And unfortunately, yes — men-only boards, the real men in blazers, are still prevalent across professional sports, especially in club-level governance. Here's a snapshot of the current landscape:
Football Clubs
53% of professional clubs in England have no women on their boards.
Only 3% meet the 30% gender diversity target set by Sport England.
Premier League: at least 11 clubs have all-male boards.
Rugby & Cricket
Rugby union clubs average just 10% female board representation — with no club having a woman in a leadership role.
County cricket clubs fare similarly: none meet the 30% target, and most have less than 20% female representation.
National Governing Bodies (NGBs)
In contrast, 72% of NGBs now meet the 30% gender benchmark due to funding-linked governance codes.
This shows how policy pressure can drive change — something clubs lack without financial incentives.
Broader Trends
A 2025 study found that female chairs on European sports boards remain rare, even when women are present as directors.
The “glass ceiling” persists: women may sit on boards but rarely hold top decision-making roles.
As of now, Premier League clubs typically operate unified boards that oversee both men's and women's teams. However, this structure has come under scrutiny for limiting the autonomy and strategic growth of the women’s game:
Current Structure
Most WSL teams are owned by men’s clubs, with shared branding and governance.
Women’s teams rarely have dedicated board representation, making it harder to tailor investment, marketing, and infrastructure to their needs.
Emerging Change: Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL)
In August 2024, the FA handed over control of the WSL and Women’s Championship to a new independent body: WPLL.
WPLL is led by an all-female executive team, with its own board and commercial strategy.
Premier League provided a £20M interest-free loan, giving it a temporary board seat — but WPLL is structurally separate from the men’s Premier League.
Why Separate Boards Matter
Independent governance allows women’s football to:
Negotiate its own broadcast and sponsorship deals.
Set tailored rules and development pathways.
Attract external investment without being overshadowed by men’s club priorities.
What’s Next?
WPLL could evolve into a fully independent league, akin to the NWSL in the US, where most teams are standalone entities.
Some UK clubs (like Lewes FC) already operate with gender-equal boards, showing the model is viable.
Look at the sports most structurally hostile to women, based on governance, participation, media coverage, and safety concerns:
🏉 Rugby Union
Boards: Most clubs have no women in leadership, and national bodies lag behind gender targets.
Players: High injury rates, limited professional contracts, and poor maternity policies.
Culture: Persistent male dominance and resistance to reform — even basic kit and facilities often lag.
🏏 Cricket
Boards: County clubs average less than 20% female representation; some have men-only boards.
Players: Pay gaps are vast — England’s top women earn ~10% of male counterparts.
Media: Women’s matches receive <5% broadcast time, despite growing audiences.
Basketball
Boards: WBBL teams often lack independent governance; decisions tied to men’s clubs.
Players: WNBA salaries average ~£100K, vs NBA’s £7M+; UK women’s basketball is semi-pro at best.
Visibility: Media coverage is minimal, limiting sponsorship and career longevity.
Weightlifting & Combat Sports
Safety: High injury risk, especially in mixed-sex training environments.
Boards: Governance often male-dominated, with few female coaches or referees.
Inclusion Conflicts: Ongoing debates over trans inclusion have led to female athlete displacement.
Golf
Boards: Most clubs still enforce male-only membership tiers or voting rights.
Players: Prize money and sponsorships skew heavily male — LPGA purses are ~25% of PGA.
Culture: Historic exclusion persists, especially in elite club access and media tone.
Motorsport
Boards: F1 and major racing teams have virtually no women in executive roles.
Players: Barriers to entry include cost, sponsorship bias, and lack of feeder programs.
Media: Female drivers often sexualized or side-lined; few are treated as serious contenders.
American Football (UK context)
Players: Women’s leagues are underfunded and poorly organized.
Boards: Governance is almost entirely male; few pathways for female leadership.
Culture: Imported hypermasculinity and lack of institutional support.
Adventure & Extreme Sports
Safety: Women report higher rates of harassment and exclusion in mixed environments.
Boards: Sponsorship and event planning often male-led, with few female decision-makers.
Media: Coverage focuses on aesthetics over athleticism.
Here’s a list of male-only or historically male-dominated golf clubs and sports boards in the UK, based on governance, membership policies, and cultural legacy. While some have recently begun admitting women, many still operate with overwhelming male leadership or restrictive practices:
⛳ Golf Clubs with Male-Only or Male-Dominated Membership
| Club Name | Status / Notes |
|---|---|
| Royal St George’s | Historically male-only; now admits women but retains male-majority governance |
| Muirfield (Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers) | Only began admitting women in 2017; board remains male-led |
| Royal Troon | Male-only until 2020; women allowed as guests, not full members |
| Garrick Club (London) | Voted to admit women in 2024 after 193 years; implementation slow |
| Queenwood (Surrey) | Ultra-exclusive; membership details secretive, believed to be male-dominated |
| Loch Lomond Golf Club | £100K joining fee; historically male-only, limited transparency |
| Sunningdale Golf Club | Elite membership; governance and culture remain male-centric |
| Royal & Ancient (St Andrews) | Only began admitting women in 2014; still male-majority |
| Wentworth Club | Exclusive membership; governance skewed male |
| Royal Liverpool Golf Club | Admitted women recently; board remains male-heavy |
Sports Boards with Male-Only or Male-Dominated Leadership
| Organisation / Club | Status / Notes |
|---|---|
| Premier League Clubs (11 of 20) | All-male boards as of 2025; only 3% meet gender diversity targets |
| EFL Championship Clubs (83%) | Vast majority have no women directors |
| County Cricket Boards | Most have <20% female representation; some entirely male |
| Rugby Union Clubs | Average 10% female board representation; no women in leadership roles |
| Motorsport Teams (F1 etc.) | Executive boards are almost entirely male |
| Golf Governing Bodies | Many clubs still lack female voting rights or board seats |
| Basketball England (WBBL) | Women’s teams often governed by men’s club boards |
| British Boxing Board of Control | Historically male-only; minimal female representation |
| UK Athletics (Regional Boards) | Gender diversity varies; some regions still male-dominated |
| British Rowing (Club Boards) | Governance skewed male; few female chairs or execs |
Here’s the 11 Premier League clubs with all-male boards and motorsport teams with male-only or male-dominated leadership, based on the latest governance audits and industry reports:
⚽ Premier League Clubs with All-Male Boards
As of the most recent Fair Game and Farrer & Co reports:
| Club Name | Gender Representation Status |
|---|---|
| Manchester United | All-male board |
| Newcastle United | All-male board |
| Tottenham Hotspur | All-male board |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | All-male board |
| Crystal Palace | All-male board |
| Nottingham Forest | All-male board |
| Bournemouth | All-male board |
| Burnley | All-male board |
| Sheffield United | All-male board |
| Brentford | All-male board |
| Fulham | All-male board |
Only 11.1% of Premier League board members are women, compared to 39.1% in FTSE 100 companies.
Motorsport Teams with Male-Only or Male-Dominated Boards
While most motorsport teams don’t publish full board rosters, industry analysis and team profiles suggest the following teams have no women in executive or board-level roles:
| Team Name | Gender Governance Status |
|---|---|
| Red Bull Racing | All-male executive leadership |
| Mercedes-AMG F1 | Male-dominated board |
| McLaren Racing | No female board members confirmed |
| Aston Martin F1 Team | Male-led governance |
| Williams Racing | Historically male board |
| Haas F1 Team | No female executives listed |
| Alpine F1 Team | Male-majority leadership |
| AlphaTauri | Male-dominated structure |
| Ferrari F1 Team | All-male executive team |
| United Autosports | No female board members listed |
Motorsport governance remains one of the least gender-diverse sectors, with virtually no women in executive roles across F1 teams.
Women’s voting rights in golf clubs are often restricted through structural and cultural mechanisms, even when formal bans have been lifted. Here’s how their votes are still treated as “worse” or less influential:
Limited Voting Rights via Membership Tiers
Many elite clubs offer associate or guest memberships to women, which exclude voting privileges.
Even when women are full members, some clubs maintain legacy clauses that restrict voting on key issues like captaincy or board appointments.
Underrepresentation on Governance Committees
The average UK golf club has just two women on its board or management committee — around 22% representation.
Proposals for equal captaincy structures (e.g. joint male/female captains) are often rejected by member votes.
Scheduling Bias
Women’s competitions are frequently held midweek, limiting participation for those with full-time jobs.
Men’s events dominate weekend slots, reinforcing the perception that male members are the “core constituency”.
Cultural Gatekeeping
Women report being tolerated but not welcomed — invited to join but excluded from decision-making spaces.
Pushback against reform is common: female members have faced aggression and backlash for advocating equal access.
Survey Insights
In England, only 14% of golf club members are women, despite efforts to diversify.
Some clubs still operate with male-only voting rights, especially in legacy institutions like Muirfield and Royal Troon.
Yet from the noise around Donald Trump's Scotland visit, the Trump Organization operates a mix of public and private clubs across the globe, and many actively promote women’s participation through events, amenities, and inclusive membership options far better than the fuddy-duddy Scots clubs.
Public Access Courses Welcoming Women
These venues allow tee-time bookings without membership:
Trump Turnberry (Scotland) – Historic Open Championship venue with spa and family memberships
Trump International Golf Links (Aberdeen, Scotland) – Championship links open to all golfers
Trump International Doonbeg (Ireland) – Coastal links with luxury accommodations
Trump National Doral (Miami) – Hosts LIV Golf and offers public tee times
Trump National (Los Angeles) – Ranked among top public courses in the U.S.
Trump Ferry Point (New York) – Public course with skyline views
Trump International (Dubai) – Offers night golf and women’s clinics
Membership Options for Women
Many private clubs offer:
Family and Spa Memberships – At Turnberry, women can access golf, wellness, and fitness amenities
Ailsa Club (Turnberry) – Includes access to the Tom Watson Lounge and exclusive events
Reciprocal Access – Members at one Trump course often gain privileges at others worldwide
Women’s Golf Legacy
Trump National Bedminster hosted the 2017 U.S. Women’s Open, and several courses have featured women’s tournaments and clinics, especially in Dubai and Florida.
But even at the lower and regional levels in sport there are still barriers to women:
In England’s Football League One (Division 1), male-only boards are still alarmingly common. According to governance audits and Fair Game’s campaign data:
Male-Only Boards in League One
Over 80% of League One clubs have no women on their boards.
Clubs with entirely male boards include:
Sheffield Wednesday
Charlton Athletic
Wycombe Wanderers
Lincoln City
Port Vale
Fleetwood Town
Burton Albion
Shrewsbury Town
Exeter City
Cambridge United
Stevenage
These clubs have zero female directors, and many even lack diversity policies or targets.
Why It Matters
Only 4.2% of board members in the EFL Championship are women — and League One is even worse.
Lack of gender diversity affects:
Sponsorship appeal
Fan engagement
Strategic innovation
Equity in club culture
Kent Football Clubs: Gender Representation Snapshot
Here’s what we know in Kent from recent listings and governance data:
| Club Name | Board Gender Makeup | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Gillingham FC | Predominantly male | No public record of female board members |
| Maidstone United | Male-dominated | No diversity targets published |
| Dartford FC | Mixed but male-heavy | Some female staff, unclear board roles |
| Ebbsfleet United | Male-majority | Community-focused, but board lacks parity |
| Ramsgate FC | Male-only board | No female directors listed |
| Canterbury City FC | Unknown | No board data available online |
Smaller clubs often lack transparency, and many don’t publish board compositions at all.
Kent FA’s Role
The Kent FA promotes inclusion and has female ambassadors like Lizzie Adams pushing for change. However, most governance efforts focus on youth and grassroots levels — not senior club boards.
Margate FC — perhaps the main Kent club — currently has a male-only board with no publicly listed female directors. Despite its rich history and community presence, the club has not yet embraced gender diversity at the governance level.
Margate FC Governance Snapshot
Board Composition: All-male, based on public records and club announcements.
Transparency: No published diversity targets or inclusion policies.
Community Engagement: Strong local ties, but leadership remains traditional.
Club Culture & History
Founded in 1896, Margate FC has hosted legends like Geoff Hurst, Bobby Moore, and Martin Peters at Hartsdown Park.
The club was once Arsenal’s nursery team in the 1930s.
Recent signings include Peter Doherty of The Libertines, adding a splash of celebrity and novelty to the squad yet no women 50 % of the population.
Kent Cricket — both the professional club and recreational board — shows significant male dominance at the governance level, though there are pockets of progress.
Kent County Cricket Club (KCCC)
The Men’s First Team and coaching staff are entirely male.
Leadership roles like Director of Cricket, Head Coach, and Performance Analyst are held by men.
No female directors or senior executives are publicly listed on the club’s main site.
Kent Cricket Board (KCB)
The KCB Board includes one senior female executive — Clair Gould, Director of Operations.
The rest of the board (Chair, Finance Director, Coaching Leads, League Reps) are male.
KCB oversees women’s and girls’ cricket, but governance remains male-heavy.
Inclusion Efforts
Kent Cricket promotes women’s matches, including hosting England Women at The Spitfire Ground.
Partnerships with Canterbury Christ Church University support the women’s team.
However, these efforts are not reflected in board composition or strategic leadership.
Kent’s sporting landscape is impressively diverse — but when it comes to boardroom gender balance, most clubs still lean heavily male. Here's a snapshot across several sports:
Rugby
Maidstone RFC, Thanet Wanderers, and Canterbury RFC all have male-majority boards.
Women’s teams exist (e.g. She-Wolves at Old Gravesendians), but female representation in governance is rare.
Boxing
Clubs like Folkestone ABC, Gravesham ABC, and PEJ ABC Margate are male-led, with few women in coaching or executive roles.
Some progress: Ladies-only boxing classes are growing in Medway and Rochester.
Basketball
Maidstone Warriors is Kent’s largest club, but its leadership remains male-dominated.
Youth and women’s teams are active, yet board-level inclusion is minimal.
Ice Hockey
Invicta Dynamos (Gillingham) has an all-male executive team.
No female board members or diversity policies published.
Equestrian & Riding
Clubs like Braeside Stables and Fallowbrook Western Riding are more inclusive, often female-led or co-managed.
These sports show better gender balance, especially in coaching and operations.
Other Cricket Clubs
Minster CC, Town Malling CC, and Kings Hill CC are male-led, with limited female governance.
Some host women’s matches, but strategic roles remain male-held.
Martial Arts
Clubs like Kent Samurai, KIXX Martial Arts, and Shinzendo Karate are male-run, though some offer girls-only self-defence classes.
Improving gender balance in sports is a global priority (and a key priority now for UK as the Sports Superpower and the rise of the Lionesses in Womens Football) and several powerful initiatives are driving change both on and off the field:
Global & Institutional Initiatives
Sport for Generation Equality (UN Women): A coalition inviting sports organizations to commit to gender equality in leadership, media, and participation.
IOC Gender Equality Strategy: The International Olympic Committee promotes parity in coaching, governance, and athlete representation. Paris 2024 was the first Olympics to achieve full gender parity on the field.
UK Sports & Media Revenue Breakdown
| Sector | Estimated Annual Income (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League (Football) | £6.4 billion | Includes broadcasting, sponsorship, ticketing, and merchandising |
| UK Sports Rights Market | £3.4 billion | Dominated by Premier League, UEFA, and Six Nations |
| BBC Licence Fee Income | £3.8 billion | Frozen since 2022; under pressure from OTT platforms |
| Sky Sports Revenue | £5.2 billion | Includes subscriptions, advertising, and digital content |
| Wimbledon (Tennis) | £300 million | Ticketing, sponsorship, and global broadcasting rights |
| Formula 1 (UK-based teams) | £1.5 billion | Includes team sponsorships and race hosting fees |
| UK Film & TV Production | £6.3 billion | Includes studio rentals, crew wages, and post-production |
| Advertising in Sport Media | £1.2 billion | Includes TV ads, branded content, and influencer tie-ins |
Women’s sports income and investment in the UK and globally — showing rapid growth, but still trailing men's figures:
UK Women’s Sports Revenue Highlights
| Sector | Estimated Annual Income (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Women's Super League (WSL) | £25–30 million | Includes sponsorships, broadcasting, and matchday revenue |
| Lionesses Sponsorship Value | £15 million+ | Driven by Euro 2025 and World Cup success |
| BBC & ITV Broadcast Rights | £10–12 million | Covers FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 and UEFA Women’s Euros |
| Netball Super League | £5–7 million | Includes ticketing, sponsorship, and merchandise |
| Women’s Cricket (ECB) | £10–15 million | Includes The Hundred and England Women matches |
| Women’s Golf (AIG Open) | £3–5 million | Includes Sky Sports coverage and sponsorship |
| Sponsorship Impact (WST) | £9.96 million in consumer value | Women’s sport sponsorships outperform men’s in brand impact |
Digital viewership of women’s sport jumped 13% in H1 2025, even as linear TV declined.
Olivia Smith’s £1m transfer to Arsenal marks a historic milestone in women’s football.
Record crowds at events like the Netball Super League final and Women’s Euros show rising fan engagement.
From £19 Billion to £50 Million: A Sporting Chasm — and a Superpower Opportunity
While men’s sports command over £19 billion in funding and revenues, women's football—despite soaring attendance and media engagement—barely scratches £50 million. And just £35M in the other main Women's Sports.
This disparity isn’t just staggering, it’s a missed UK national opportunity.
Britain could lead as a global sports superpower by unlocking female athletic potential and reforming institutional bias.
That means scrapping the sneaky shenanigans of male-only voting rights in elite golf clubs, mandating a minimum one-pager standard DEI goals and transparency on director appointments across every professional sports club, and even pressing for Premier League Football (PFL) sanctions against the entrenched “Sexist 11” clubs resisting change.
Even Motorsport needs urgent action—from team equity audits to funding for female drivers. The infrastructure exists. So does the public appetite. Women don't drive or buy cars?
All of these reforms could be actioned within months.
It’s time UK Sports governance caught up with the success of the Lionesses.
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