16 Nov 2017
Drive for more coverage and funding for women's sport continues as WST strengthens board
BY Rob Gibson
Seven new trustees have been appointed to the board of the Women’s Sport Trust (WST) as it increases efforts to secure more coverage and funding for female sport.
The WST was founded in 2012 as a campaigning body focused solely on women’s sport, with ambitions to attract new funding and media coverage.
The appointments indicate a strategic focus on marketing, campaigning and fundraising, as well as athlete representation.
The new trustees are:
• Kate Dale – head of campaign strategy at Sport England
• Donna Fraser – former Olympic athlete, vice president and equality, diversity and engagement lead at UK Athletics
• Amanda Hudson – head of education and athlete support at UK Anti-Doping
• Chris Hurst – head of digital, Europe, Nielsen Sports, and formerly social media editor and digital development editor at BBC Sport
• Michael Inpong – chief marketing officer at Müller UK and Ireland
• Laura Weston – MD of global sport and entertainment agency Iris Culture
• Denise Yeats – fundraising expert working with Shelter, Marie Curie and the MS Society.
In addition, former GB fencing commonwealth gold medallist Claire Bennett, who is now senior athlete manager at the Dame Kelly Holmes Trust, joins as a board observer.
“The momentum behind women’s sport has never been clearer, but it will require sustained and significant support to flourish,” said WST joint CEO and co-founder Jo Bostock.
“We’re confident these talented and passionate individuals will be key to our proving the brand value and audience appeal of women’s sport in the years ahead.”
A statement from WST added: “Women’s sport in the UK has witnessed a significant shift in recent years, with greater profile for female role models, increased funding and a better balance in media coverage.
“The WST is impatient to build on this progress. We want it to be commonplace to see major brand deals, unmissable coverage, packed stands and fully professional, funded female athletes.”
Tammy Parlour, joint CEO and chair of WST, thanked outgoing board members Jeanette Kwakye and Niccola Hutchinson-Pascal for their work.
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