NPA at the IWG Global Summit on Women and Sport

As part of her development through the Women’s Sports Collective Leadership Programme, NPA Director of Player Services Sarah Gandon attended the IWG Women and Sport Summit last week, enabling Sarah to represent the NPA on a global stage and bring back valuable insights to inform and inspire our work and members.

Attending the IWG Women and Sport Summit offered a valuable opportunity to reflect on the progress, challenges, and future direction of women’s sport globally. Bringing together leaders from across sport, business, and policy, the summit reinforced both the scale of opportunity ahead and the collective responsibility to drive meaningful change.

A standout session, Podium to Boardroom, explored the transition from athlete to leadership, and the importance of creating structured, supported pathways into governance. The discussion highlighted how critical it is to ensure athletes are not only heard but positioned to influence decision-making at the highest level. This strongly resonated with the NPA’s model, where player representatives sit on the board and actively shape the organisation’s direction. Many of our representatives bring lived experience that mirrors those shared on stage navigating uncertainty, building confidence in new environments, and learning to translate athlete voice into strategic impact. The session reinforced that these journeys should not rely on chance, but on intentional systems and support networks.

Across the summit, three key takeaways emerged that are particularly relevant for NPA members:

First, the importance of backing women’s sport as a serious and scalable business. Michelle Kang’s contribution was especially compelling, framing women’s sport as a “start-up opportunity” with untapped potential. Her investment approach goes beyond individual clubs, focusing on building the entire ecosystem through research, academies, and coach development tailored specifically to female athletes. She emphasised that growth can and should happen ahead of major broadcast deals, through areas such as sponsorship, attendance, and merchandise. Her work demonstrates that investing in women’s sport is not just about ownership, but about advancing the whole game.

Second, the power of athlete voice and collective influence. A consistent message throughout the conference was the need to place athletes and fans at the centre of decision-making. From governance structures to high-performance environments, creating space for athletes to speak—and ensuring they are genuinely listened to, remains critical. Sessions highlighted that meaningful change happens when there is collective accountability, not isolated feedback. This aligns closely with the NPA’s ongoing work to strengthen player voice and ensure our members are actively shaping the conditions in which they compete.

Third, the need for patience and persistence when driving change. Dr Laura McAllister’s reflection on the “cozy

conservatism” within sport captured the reality that progress can often be slow and resistant. However, speakers reinforced that change is possible through consistent, strategic advocacy, “agitating” in a way that brings people with you. Leaders such as Sarah Powell and Dame Denise Lewis also highlighted the importance of building strong networks and backing yourself in environments that may feel unfamiliar. For athletes and player representatives, this is a reminder that leadership is not a solo journey, and that sustained progress requires both resilience and collaboration.

The summit also underscored the importance of long-term, meaningful investment, collaboration across the sector, and a shift from sponsorship to genuine partnership models. Above all, there was a clear message: women’s sport is not a charitable cause, it is a valuable, growing industry that requires the same strategic thinking, investment, and respect as any other.

For the NPA, these insights will continue to inform how we support our members, strengthen player voice, and advocate for better systems across the sport. The challenge now is to take these learnings forward, ensuring that our athletes are not only part of the conversation, but leading it.