It’s August 2024 and this week, the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games begins.

The Paralympics, as we commonly know them, have their roots in the Stoke Mandeville Games, first held in 1948, when only wheelchair athletes competed.

In 1960, they were renamed as the Paralympic Games, and in 1976, para-athletes besides wheelchair users were allowed to compete for the first time.

My guest today was one of those. And she didn’t just compete – she cleaned up.

Monica Vaughan represented Great Britain in swimming at two Paralympics.
Five Gold medals in Toronto in ’76 were followed by four more plus a Silver in Arnhem in Germany in 1980.

By the way, thank you to Stylist Magazine for naming us as one of the best podcasts about women in sport.

Archive info about the Paralympics and Monica Vaughan

"From Stoke Mandeville to Stratford" - A History of the Summer Paralympic Games by Ian Brittain

Toronto 1976

Monica Vaughan profile National Paralympic Heritage Trust

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About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise.

Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so.

DONATE and support our work here

Find out more about us here

Follow Us
Instagram – Instagram.com/womeninsport_uk

X – x.com/womeninsport_uk

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/women-in-sport

TikTok – tiktok.com/@womeninsport


Acknowledgments
Thank you to Whistledown Productions for the technical help and use of the studio to record this podcast.

Edited and mixed by Steven George

Music: Luna Cantina - A Huevo  

This year marks Women in Sport’s 40th anniversary and we've relaunched our podcast!

This week the world’s top athletes will gather in Paris for the 2024 Olympic Games.

Few of us will ever know what its like to represent our country in elite sport. Fewer still will know the feeling of standing on the podium whilst the national anthem plays.

Joanna Rowsell MBE knows exactly what this is like. She has two gold medals - one from London in 2012 and the other from Rio in 2016 – both in the Team Pursuit.
Add to that, five World Championship titles, multiple World Cup Gold medals and a standing world record, also in Team Pursuit.

Presenter: Julia George

Watch and listen to the BBC commentary of Joanna's moment of Olympic glory:

Copyright BBC 1984

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About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise.

Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so.

DONATE and support our work here

Find out more about us here

Follow Us
Instagram – Instagram.com/womeninsport_uk

X – x.com/womeninsport_uk

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/women-in-sport

TikTok – tiktok.com/@womeninsport


Acknowledgments
Thank you to David Prest at Whistledown Productions for the technical help and use of the studio to record this podcast.

Edited and mixed by Steven George

Music: Luna Cantina - A Huevo

This year marks Women in Sport’s 40th anniversary and we've relaunched our podcast!

It’s July 2024. In just a few weeks, the world’s top athletes will gather in Paris for the 2024 Games.

We’ll be watching on - in wonder - at the human endeavour, the glory and the heartbreak.

What all that feels like is the stuff of dreams for most of us.
Today's guest is a woman who lived that dream.

Tessa Sanderson CBE is a British Olympic icon. She represented Great Britain at six Olympic Games, winning a gold medal in the javelin at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics setting a new Olympic record and making history as the first black British woman to win Olympic gold.

Presenter: Julia George

Watch and listen to the BBC commentary of Tessa's moment of Olympic glory:
1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games - Women's Javelin (youtube.com)
Copyright BBC 1984


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About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise.

Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so.

DONATE and support our work here

Find out more about us here

Follow Us
Instagram – Instagram.com/womeninsport_uk

X – x.com/womeninsport_uk

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/women-in-sport

TikTok – tiktok.com/@womeninsport


Acknowledgments
Follow Tessa on X - x.com/tessasanderson

Thank you to David Prest at Whistledown Productions for the technical help and use of the studio to record this podcast.

Edited and mixed by Steven George

Music: Luna Cantina - A Huevo

This year marks Women in Sport’s 40th anniversary. We've relaunched our podcast to coincide with the 2024 UK General Election.

Women and girls belong in sport. But we are less active than men and boys at every stage of our lives.

27% of women do less than 30 minutes of sporting activity a week. Just 3% of women play in a sports team. 22% fewer girls than boys take part in team sport.

Stigma, prejudice and taboos about sport, gender and health are holding women and girls back.

This episode of our podcast looks at how we help the UK step up and recognise the value and importance of sport to women and girls.

[Warning: There is a section midway through this episode where there's a bit of swearing]

Presenter:
Julia George, journalist, broadcaster and former gymnast

Guests:
Gary Leybourne the CEO of Coach Core, a charity which creates sports coaching apprenticeships across the UK. 

Rachel Williams works for Women in Sport in policy and public affairs, managing our relationships with politicians, decision-makers and government. 

Dr Bella Smith was labelled ‘not particularly sporty’ at school now she’s a passionate distance runner and is a co-founder of The Well HQ, a movement that aims to help girls and women feel they truly belong in sport. 

About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise.

Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so.

DONATE and support our work here

Find out more about us here

Follow Us
Instagram – Instagram.com/womeninsport_uk

X – x.com/womeninsport_uk

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/women-in-sport

TikTok – tiktok.com/@womeninsport

Thank you to David Prest at Whistledown Productions for the use of the studio to record this podcast.

Recorded and mixed by Steven George

Music: Luna Cantina - A Huevo

This year marks Women in Sport’s 40th anniversary. We've relaunched our podcast to coincide with the 2024 UK General Election.

Women and girls belong in sport. But misogyny is a significant barrier. We believe that when sport includes women and girls it helps tackle health inequalities. In this podcast we’re tackling what needs to be done to eradicate misogyny from sport, and society in general. 

Presenter:
Julia George, journalist, broadcaster and former gymnast

Guests:
Fiona Scolding KC has worked in education law for over 20 years, notably as lead counsel to three different investigations at the Independent Inquiry for Child Sexual Abuse. 

Ugo Monye is a rugby union international, who was capped 14 times for England and played 241 times for Harlequins, winning the Premiership title in 2012 before retiring in 2015. 

Rachel Williams leads our work on developing policy positions and on our relationship with political and policymaking stakeholders across the UK and at all levels of government. 


About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise.

Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so.

DONATE and support our work here

Find out more about us here

Follow Us
Instagram – Instagram.com/womeninsport_uk

X – x.com/womeninsport_uk

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/women-in-sport

TikTok – tiktok.com/@womeninsport

Thank you to Emily Finch at Whistledown Productions for the use of the studio to record this podcast.

Recorded and mixed by Steven George

Music: Luna Cantina - A Huevo

This year marks Women in Sport’s 40th anniversary.

Women and girls belong in sport. But they are less active than men at every stage of their lives. It’s worse if you’re a woman of colour.

Elite male athletes are celebrated for their strength and skill, whilst women are still often discussed in terms of their appearance and their relationships. And their pay and rewards still lag far behind.

In this episode, we’re tackling what needs to be done make sport fair for women and girls, in the playground, on the pitch, and in the boardroom. In particular: 

• What is gender budgeting and why sport so desperately needs it 
• Why 50-50 leadership is vital in sport (and elsewhere)
• How 50-50 visibility can give more girls a chance to dream 

Presenter:
Julia George, journalist, broadcaster and former gymnast

Guests:
Ali Donnelly, who is the CEO of More Than Equal, a new organisation which aims to get  more women competing at the very top end of motorsport.
Rachel Williams leads Women in Sport’s relationships with politicians and policymakers across the UK and at all levels of government.
Brian Moore is a former rugby union international, who played 64 times for England as a hooker.

About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise.

Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so.

DONATE and support our work here

Find out more about us here

Follow Us
Instagram – Instagram.com/womeninsport_uk

X – x.com/womeninsport_uk

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/women-in-sport

TikTok – tiktok.com/@womeninsport

More Than Equal Website

Thank you to Whistledown Productions for the use of their studio to record this podcast.

Recorded and mixed by Steven George

Music: Luna Cantina - A Huevo

Minette Batters is President of the National Farmer's Union, the first women to hold the post in the organisation's 115 year history. Alongside leading the NFU, which represents more than 46,000 farming and growing businesses, Minette runs a family farm in Wiltshire. 

She chats to us about the impact that sport has had on her life. The skills she acquired through playing team sport at school which has given her the ability to lead a team, communicate effectively and provided her with the resilience to overcome adversity and failure. 

Minette also talks about her love of running and her passion for protecting and championing green spaces so that more people are able to enjoy being active in nature. 

About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise. Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so.

Find out more about us here

The Rugby League World Cup 2021 made history with Women's, Wheelchair and Men’s teams competing concurrently at the tournament. For the first time in a major tournament all participants were paid the same participation fee and given equal standard of accommodation, transport, and training facilities.

Also, in a watershed moment for the women's game, every match was broadcast live on the BBC and promoted to a new generation of players and supporters.

So, what has this tournament done to inspire change, both at the elite and grassroots ends of the game?

To discuss the legacy of the Rugby League World Cup 2021, we're joined by: England International Jodie Cunningham, Stacey Knight Non-Exec Director, Rugby League World Cup 2021 and Tracey Power the tournament's Social Impact Director.

Thank you to our podcast sponsor CSM Live
Cover Image: SWPix

About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise. Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so.

Find out more about us here

When researching the lives of teenage girls Women in Sport uncovered the powerful relationship that exists between mums and daughters. Teenage girls view their mum or mum figure as someone that they want to be active with, without the fear of judgement. This led to the creation of Women in Sport's #TimeTogether campaign. 

We know that: 

• 6 out of 10 teenage girls are not meeting the physical activity guidelines of 60 minutes activity per day

• 1.3 million teenage girls opt out of sport when transitioning from primary to secondary school due to puberty, confidence and supportive environments. 

• 48% of girls tell us their mum encourages and supports them to be active. Yet women in midlife are time poor

In this episode we'll explore some of the barriers that prevent girls from being active and explore how mums/mum figures can be part of the solution.

We're joined by Kate Nicholson, Head of Insight and Innovation at Women in Sport, Kirsty McNab, CEO Scottish Sport's Futures and her teenage daughter Ella.

About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise. Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so.

Find out more about us here

Two years ago we discovered half as many girls as boys dream of reaching the top of sport - a gap we coined the 'Dream Deficit.'

2022 has put women's sport centre stage. The success of the Lionesses at the Euros was momentous, the passion, talent and positive team dynamic on display was incredible to watch. It was closely followed by a raft of brilliant performances at the Commonwealth Games.

But has the inspirational summer we've had done anything to shift the dial? Can girls now see a place at the top of sport for them?

To discuss the results of Women in Sport's latest 'Dream Deficit' survey I am joined by the charity's CEO Stephanie Hilborne and Hannah Dingley, Academy Manager at Forest Green Rovers.

About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise. Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so. 

Find out more about us here

This episode is sponsored by CSM Live 

The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham featured the largest integrated para sport programme in the competition’s history with 42 parasport events across eight sports, with over 350 athletes taking part.

While the growth of parasport at elite level is fantastic, many disabled women and girls face a double discrimination when it comes to sport and exercise. 

Now the excitement of the 2022 Games is over the focus has to be on what legacy it can achieve.  

On this episode Sarah is joined by former Paralympic swimmer and BBC broadcaster Kate Grey and Emma Wiggs MBE who is a double Paralympic gold medal winner and ten-time World Champion para canoeist!

We talk about: 

• How the Commonwealth Games has given parasport a stage and how that's inspired more girls into sport. 
• Why para sport must be able to grow as an event in its own right. 
• How media has changed the narrative around performance and disability. 
• How schools and coaches can foster a more inclusive environment for girls with a disability. 
• How we can all play a part in breaking down barriers to activity for disabled women and girls. 

About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise. Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so. 
Find out more about us here

This episode is sponsored by CSM Live