Committees

DCMS Committee to examine growth of women’s football and support for women’s sport

15 December 2022

MPs are to examine issues around the growth of women’s football, along with the challenges other women’s sporting organisations face in growing audiences and revenues and what needs to be done to bring about more parity between men’s and women’s sport.

The DCMS Committee inquiry will also look at the actions needed to tackle sexism and misogyny in sport and the reasons behind the disparity between the participation rates of boys and girls.

Terms of reference

The DCMS Committee is inviting written evidence on the following questions by 3rd February: 

  1. How can the growth in domestic women’s football be accelerated?
  2. What should other sports be learning from the growth of women’s football leagues in the UK?
  3. What is needed for women’s sporting organisations to grow audiences and revenues?
  4. What action is needed to tackle sexism and misogyny in sport?
  5. What needs to change at a regulatory level to facilitate more parity between men’s and women’s sport?

Chair's comments

DCMS Committee member Julie Elliott MP said:

“The buzz around the spectacular success of the England Lionesses this summer has shown how far women’s football has come in reaching new audiences and the huge potential of women’s sport to flourish. Now is the time to keep the momentum and to capitalise and consolidate on the progress made in football by ensuring women’s sport at all levels is getting the backing it deserves. Our inquiry will be looking at what needs to be done to tear down the barriers to growth that still exist from the grassroots up to elite level, while making sure that the sporting environment is a welcome and inclusive place for all women and girls.”

The Women’s Sport Trust estimates that revenue generated by women’s sport in the UK is set to grow to £1 billion a year by 2030, up from £350 million a year currently. Two-thirds of UK sport fans follow some form of women’s sport.

However, this progress is potentially undermined by low female participation in sports at a young age. According to the charity Women in Sport, 60% of girls fail to meet recommended activity guidelines, while only 21% of girls do lots of sport and activity, compared with 39% of boys.

Further information

Image: Pixabay