Women’s success in sport, if played right, can have a huge positive social impact by challenging gender-based assumptions, setting an example for younger generations.
The groundswell of support for South Africa’s women national teams, Banyana Banyana, Proteas Women, and others, is a clear indication that women’s sport is growing in stature and attracting the attention of sports lovers across the country.
It has long been held that women achievers in sport can teach women in business key skills that will give them an edge in their personal and career development.
A study conducted by Ernst & Young, showed that women who played sport at the highest level, developed a winning mindset and learned specific strategic skills that helped them develop their professional careers.
Confidence in their abilities, even during rough patches, an unwavering focus on the challenges ahead and the determination to succeed in everything they do, were some of the attributes high-performing athletes developed and which helped them as they navigated the path to becoming influential leaders in business.
Highlighting the need to continue the conversation about the advancement of women in sport, sports marketing agency, Ignite Talent Lab is hosting a ground-breaking event that shines the light on diversity and gender transformation in sport and sports business.
Connecting leaders and influencers from sport, business, media, entertainment and business, Women in Sport Summit 2018 is aimed at highlighting the slow pace of gender transformation in the sport and sports business, and provides a platform for women in business, sport and media to highlight the challenges many women face in their professional careers.
“Women in Sport Summit will deliver insightful, educational and inspiring content on diversity and inclusion with our keynotes, plenary sessions and panels discussions, laying the foundation for the advancement of women leaders in sport,” says founder and CEO, Debra Barnes.
Two years in the making, the inaugural event will also acknowledge and celebrate women in sport who lead, conquer and inspire.
“We need to celebrate the women in sport who have beaten the odds to excel in their sport, women who are using their talents and achievements to inspire our future generations, and women who are banging down the doors to the boys club, and taking their seat at the boardroom table. These are our game-changers and we need to honour them by telling their stories of determination, hope and achievement” says Barnes.