News article
Organisations line up for first UK Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator session
Women’s sport leagues, teams and competitions across the UK have benefited from the first session of a new Government scheme to boost investment and increase broadcast audiences.
The Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator, launched by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), is set to run for a year, bringing together UK-based sports rights-holders that are seeking investment with industry experts and sports investors.
Some 20 leagues, teams and competitions across seven different sports took part in the initial session, including the Women’s Super League, England Rugby, England Netball, England and Wales Cricket Board, Volleyball England and more.
“It’s fantastic to see this scheme get off the mark as we aim to make the UK the world’s number one destination for women’s sport investment,” said Minister of State for the Department for Business and Trade, Nusrat Ghani.
“We’ve had so many brilliant women’s sport success stories this year. I’m excited to see the overwhelming appetite from leagues, teams and competitions from right across the breadth of women’s sports, and am proud to back this fast-growing sector as it pushes boundaries and grows to the next level.”
“It’s fantastic to see this scheme get off the mark as we aim to make the UK the world’s number one destination for women’s sport investment.”
In association with Deloitte’s Sports Business Group, supported by the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport, the scheme will feature sessions offering market insights, connections and networking events.
The scheme will see a total of three flagship sessions held during the scheme, with DBT providing dedicated workshops for rights-holders on specific areas, such as growing broadcast revenues, unlocking new audiences and best practice for working with investors. The next session is scheduled for January.
“We are proud to be involved in the new Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator initiative. This group will help to provide a platform that will benefit women’s sport across the country, through shared intelligence and support,” said Holly Murdoch, the Football Association’s Head of Operations for the Women’s Professional Game.
Image: James Boyes/ CC BY 2.0