Exploring gender inequality through sport and the role business can play in creating greater equity and opportunity.

Join the Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid Women’s Network for an inspiring morning exploring how sport develops female leadership, why keeping women and girls engaged in sport matters and how businesses can support greater equity.

Girls who play sport are more likely to become women who lead.

Research by the EY Women Athletes Business Network found a strong connection between participation in sport and women’s leadership. Of the senior female executives surveyed:

94% of women in C-suite roles had played sport

52% had competed at university level

74% believed that a background in sport can help accelerate a woman’s career

80% of female Fortune 500 executives had played competitive sport

Sport gives women opportunities to develop confidence, resilience, teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure. These are not simply sporting qualities. They are the same skills businesses need from their future leaders.

About our Speakers

Nadine Griffiths, recently appointed Director of Women’s Rugby at the Welsh Rugby Union, brings experience from every level of the game. A former Wales international with 44 caps, Nadine represented her country at the Rugby World Cup and became one of the first female Level 3 rugby coaches in the UK.

Before joining the WRU’s executive team, Nadine spent more than 20 years at Cardiff Rugby, most recently leading its Community Foundation. Through sport, Nadine and her team created opportunities for thousands of young people across education, health and wellbeing, inclusion and leadership.

Nadine will share her journey from a young girl inspired to play rugby to leading the women’s game in Wales. She will explore what sport taught her about confidence, teamwork, handling pressure and leading change, as well as the importance of giving girls the opportunity to participate and see what is possible.

Sarah Boswell, Chief Executive Officer of Wales Netball and Cardiff Dragons, brings more than 20 years’ experience in leadership, commercial growth and strategic partnerships across the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

Sarah will share the story of women’s netball in Wales, its growth and ambitions, and the challenges that remain. She will explore why keeping women and girls engaged in sport matters, as well as the role businesses can play through sponsorship, partnerships and investment to create greater opportunities and build a stronger future for the women’s game.

Dr Helen Williams is an organisational psychologist, researcher and co-founder of Saeth Consultancy. Drawing on her experience across business and research, Helen specialises in leadership, organisational performance, social mobility and workplace inclusion.

Helen will explore the powerful relationship between sport and women’s leadership, including how participation can develop confidence, resilience, teamwork and the ability to perform under pressure. Combining academic research with practical insight, she will consider how businesses can create environments where women thrive, support greater equity and turn good intentions into meaningful action.

We will also consider the commercial opportunity for businesses. Research from the Women’s Sport Trust found that almost 10 million UK consumers are more likely to buy from a brand that sponsors women’s sport, while 30% think more favourably of businesses that invest in it, compared with 20% for men’s sport.

This is not simply a conversation about sport. It is about leadership, equity, opportunity and the role businesses can play in creating change.

We will explore:

Why girls who play can become women who lead

The skills business leaders can learn from sport

The rise of women’s rugby and the barriers still holding it back

Why participation matters for confidence, wellbeing and career progression

How sponsorship can deliver both commercial and social value

What businesses can do to support greater equity on and off the field

Hosted by Hugh James, the event will include time to connect with women from across the Welsh business community in a welcoming and supportive environment.

*Read the EY research into why female athletes make strong business leaders.

Booking Information

This event is open to Chamber members and invitees only. For booking support contact events@cw-seswm.com.

Description supplied by the event organiser.