UEL host ‘women in sport’ event

UEL SportsDock is hosting a women in sport event (Image: Archant)

Women in sport will be celebrated at a brand-new event held at the UEL Sportsdock tomorrow (June 28).

Organised by Dr Carrie Dunn and Dr Marcia Wilson of UEL, it is intended to celebrate the achievement of women in the sports industries and encourage girls and young women to consider a career in the field.

The first-ever ‘Nettie Honeyball Day’ is named in honour of the fictional founder of the first-ever women’s football club, the British Ladies.

Dr Dunn explained that she and Dr Wilson are very passionate about the cause and this event is just a starting point.

“Marcia and I both work in the sports industry, I specialise in journalism and Marcia in psychology. We have students on our courses looking to enter careers in sport, but we wanted to get young girls considering their paths into sport careers earlier,” she said,

In the morning, girls from local primary schools will be trying out all kinds of sporting activities in the Sportsdock arena and will also have the chance to try their hand at reporting.

“Girls of a primary school age will be trying out activities such as netball, boxing techniques and football in our sports arena. They will then have a chance to try their hand at sports journalism with me,” added Dunn.

In the afternoon, there will be a series of short talks and a discussion panel on the future of women in sport, which is open for anyone to attend.

“Special guests include Sarah Shepherd, features editor at Sport Magazine who will be talking about her new book on women in sport ‘Kicking off’ and UEL student and Paralympian shot putter Vanessa Daobry, who made her GB debut at the International Paralympic Committee Grand Prix event in Dubai,” said Dunn.

Women in the sports industries are finally receiving the recognition they deserve and this event is sure to be the first of many lighting the way for youngsters to pursue a career path in a field with so many opportunities to offer.