Judy Murray has called on British sport to maintain its momentum and exert greater effort to guarantee equal funding and opportunities for girls and women in sports. In a compelling speech commemorating the 40th anniversary of the Women In Sport charity, Murray addressed a gathering of high-ranking sports officials, stating: “I am tired of hearing words without seeing action. What are we waiting for? Let’s move forward.” The conference revealed that only 13% of British coaches at the Paris Olympics were women, and there were fewer women in senior roles within governing bodies compared to before the pandemic.
Murray recognized that the London 2012 Olympics significantly boosted the visibility of women’s sports but emphasized that more progress is necessary, including increasing the number of women in pivotal decision-making roles. “We have made considerable strides since 1984,” she noted. “However, we cannot afford to be complacent. There is still much work to be done. We must continue to push forward. Women in sport often face obstacles that hinder their progress, but if we unite and collaborate with the allies present here, we can create a force that can effect significant change.”
Murray recounted a moment from her coaching career when another coach questioned her ability to contribute to performance coaching with two young children. She acknowledged improvements but highlighted ongoing instances of power abuse in sports. “We need male allies,” she asserted. “The world and the sports world were designed for men. We have been challenging this status quo for some time, and we must continue to do so.”
Earlier, the conference featured insights from Katherine Grainger, chair of UK Sport, Paula Dunn, head coach of British Athletics, and several sports chief executives, who shared their struggles on the path to leadership. There were also calls for sports organizations receiving public funds to aim for 50% female representation on their boards and senior teams, and for a more equitable distribution of funds between men and women. The idea of an independent sports regulator to ensure proper safeguarding and duty of care was also discussed.
Stephanie Hilborne, CEO of Women In Sport, emphasized: “This work transcends sport; it is crucial for society. In a world becoming increasingly fragmented and polarized, we must unite women and men to dismantle the stereotypes and misogyny that hinder progress.”
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