West Midlands Mayor Champions £115,000 Investment for Women and Girls' Sport
A significant charitable investment of £115,000 has been announced to boost sports participation among women and girls throughout the West Midlands region. The Birmingham-based JABBS Foundation for Women and Girls is providing the funding, which will establish a new Women's Sports Network designed to coordinate and deliver accessible sport sessions and development programmes.
Funding Allocation and Strategic Goals
The investment sees £105,000 awarded to Sport 4 Life UK and an additional £10,000 granted to Women in Sport. This financial support aims to create a collaborative network that will enhance grassroots efforts, particularly in communities with the greatest need. The initiative focuses on removing barriers to participation, ensuring more women and girls can engage in physical activities that promote health, wellbeing, and community cohesion.
West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker expressed strong support for the project, highlighting the broader benefits of sport. "Sport makes such a positive difference to health and wellbeing, but it also brings people and communities together," he stated. "We’re working closely with partners and investing millions into sports-led regeneration projects to unlock more opportunities for local people to get active. The creation of the Women's Sports Network is a moment to be celebrated, as it will help more women and girls start taking part in sport."
Charity and Organizational Perspectives
According to the JABBS Foundation, the Women's Sports Network will unite various organisations to improve access to sport, supporting grassroots groups to amplify their community impact. Tom Clarke-Forrest MBE, founder and CEO of Sport 4 Life UK, emphasised the transformative power of sport. "At Sport 4 Life UK, we see the incredible difference sport can make in a young woman’s life," he said. "We’re proud to lead the creation of this network and grateful for the investment, which underscores that equal opportunities in sport are essential."
Stephanie Hilborne OBE, CEO of Women in Sport, added that sport offers vital physical and mental health benefits, builds resilience, and fosters skills like communication and teamwork. "It’s not right that so many women and girls are still excluded from sport," she noted. "This network is a significant step forward for the West Midlands, helping more women and girls access opportunities to discover their love of sport and bring joy to their lives."
The initiative represents a concerted effort to address inequalities in sports participation, leveraging charitable funding to create sustainable pathways for women and girls across the region to engage in physical activity and community-building through sport.
