Jessica Ennis-Hill, Nicola Adams, Paula Radcliffe, Steph Houghton; England has never had a shortage of talented female athletes. So why is that in 65 years of BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year, over 80% of the winners have been men? 

This weekend marks International Women’s Day, a global day celebrating the achievements of women whilst also calling for increased gender parity. The theme for 2020 is #EachForEqual, and there’s no denying that the gender gap in terms of participation, pay and performance in the sporting world, both in elite sports and mass participation, is still prevalent. 

Very slowly, however, positive change is happening. Who can forget Sport England’s incredibly powerful This Girl Can campaign, which encouraged women of all shapes and sizes to get active. Just one year after launching in 2015, a staggering 2.8 million women and girls between the ages of 14 and 40 said they had become more active as a result of the influential campaign. 

What about British ultrarunner Jasmin Paris, who in 2019 challenged the status quo in mixed-gender events by not only smashing the record for the gruelling 286-mile Montane Spine Race by 12 hours, but also beating all of her male opponents on the course. Impressive indeed, especially considering the fact that Paris took time out to pump breast milk during the race. And in elite sports, it wasn’t until 2007, after years of raised calls for pay equality, that the most celebrated of the Grand Slams, Wimbledon, gave women an equal prize as men; a victory for women on the court and off. 

Stereotypically played by and watched by men, it’s a known fact that women’s sport as a whole is paid less attention than men’s, but again, attitudes are shifting – just look at the 2019 Women’s FIFA World Cup. Never before has women’s football grabbed the nation as intensely and grippingly as when the Lionesses were on the field, a field largely dominated by their male counterparts. Interest and support for the team, and women’s football, skyrocketed, and despite low attendance figures at the international competition, the England vs USA semi-final was one of the most-watched TV sporting moments of the year, attracting 11.7 million viewers in the UK and setting a new record for women’s football. 

With England hosting the UEFA Women’s EURO 2021, we’re over the moon about showcasing our leading ladies further and continuing to promote the notion that football is a sport for women as much as it is for men. That’s why it’s more important than ever that we champion and endorse each and every one of our female athletes, across all sports. Here’s to being the best cheerleaders we can be for our sisters. And with that in mind, ahead of International Women’s Day, we’ve gathered top tips for women getting started in the sporting field from leading female endurance athletes.

Charlotte Arter, Saucony ambassador, parkrun world record holder and Welsh half marathon record holder

Who is your main female sporting inspiration?

I find many females successes across a number of sports inspiring – I think it’s important to appreciate success in female sport and to encourage females in any sport they do, in particular, school-age when there is a high proportion who drop out of the sport completely. But back to the question! Jess Ennis-Hill is a huge inspiration and role model of mine, from her sporting achievements but also the way she conducts herself on and off the track.

What one tip would you give to women looking to get into the sport?

Do it! No one ever feels bad after coming back from a run, it’s the getting started bit which is the hardest. Try and establish a weekly routine which includes 1-2 runs a week and try to stick to that routine. Finding a running group, partner or club will also help! 

Nike Swim’s Jane McCormick, world record holder for the English Channel 2 and 3 way relay crossing and Swim England coach

Who is your main female sporting inspiration?

I am in awe of several female athletes, particularly those who juggle their career with motherhood such as Jess Ennis-Hill and Serena Williams. 

The fact that Serena made her comeback to tennis after having her daughter and blazed her way back to the top despite being penalised by seeing her ranking slip from 1 to 453 is truly motivating. Not only did she inspire women the world over, she also shone a light on how women are penalised when they return to their careers after having children.

Iona Lake, Saucony ambassador, steeplechaser and Commonwealth Games representative

Who is your main female sporting inspiration?

I’ve never had just one woman that has inspired me. There are so many both in sport and out. I always find it mad that women are still treated and looked upon differently. Although there is a long way to go, I am glad things are changing. The women’s steeplechase only became an Olympic event in 2008. It’s mind-blowing that it took that long for misconceptions about women’s strength to be realised. 

Sporting activations for International Women’s Day

1. Virtual reality simulator Zwift is celebrating its female community for the entire month with the launch of a series of female-led events for all those chasing their fitness goals. Run with pro athletes as Gwen Jorgensen, triathlete Lucy Charles and more jump on their treadmills to join the community. Check out the full schedule of upcoming events here.

“I’m looking forward to leading a run on International Women’s Day,” says Lucy Charles, three-time podium finisher at Ironman World Championships, “to celebrate all the fantastic women on Zwift whether they are training for an Ironman, their next parkrun or just want some company to run with!”

2. In celebration of Barbie’s 60th anniversary as well as International Women’s Day, the iconic toy company has launched a new Dina Asher-Smith doll, after Britain’s fastest sprinter. Part of Barbie’s new Sheroes collection, which aims to shine a light on empowering role models (past and present) in a bid to inspire more girls, female athletes Amandine Henry, France’s soccer captain, Sümeyye Boyacı, Turkish Paralympic swimmer and Olga Kharlan, Ukrainian world champion saber fencer, will also be celebrated in Barbie doll form. 
3. Though parkrun has become an international phenomenon, there are still 650,000 women who have yet to take part, of the 1.8 million females who have registered in the UK. Tomorrow, Saturday 7th March, the hugely popular weekly 5k run is collaborating with This Girl Can to put on hundreds of special #IWDparkrun events for women from all walks of life. 

Five-time Olympian Jo Pavey, who will be taking part in her local Parkrun in Exmouth tomorrow, told the PA news agency: “I’m really excited that This Girl Can are collaborating with parkrun because it’s sending out such a brilliant message to try and encourage women to get active and to take that step. We know a lot of women have registered for parkrun but haven’t actively taken part. Everyone’s championed, everyone’s encouraged, it’s so inclusive.”