Network aiming to increase profile of women’s sport in Wales launched at Welsh Assembly

by Callum Ellis

A NETWORK aiming to increase the profile of women’s sport in Wales was officially launched at the Senedd on Tuesday evening.

Watch Her Go is the latest movement hoping to develop further opportunities for female athletes across the nation.

More than 200 people who share a passion for promoting women’s sport attended the evening in Cardiff Bay.

High profile names in the world of women’s sport, including Paralympic swimming champion Liz Johnson, broadcaster Clare Balding and former Welsh international footballer Laura McAllister were all present.

Former international hockey player Beth Fisher, who recently became the first female to conduct football commentary live on BBC Radio Wales, also chaired the panel at the launch.

While the network received endorsement from Wales trio Angharad James, Jess Fishlock and Natasha Harding who were on international duty in Marbella.

Western Mail columnist McAllister, who represented her country on 24 occasions, said the movement is hoping to push boundaries and force change surrounding women’s sport in Wales.

“We’re trying to create a network to try and advocate for change,” McAllister told BBC Radio Wales.

“We’ve seen more women in leadership positions and more coverage of women’s sport, but it’s not enough. We’re basically saying enough is enough.

“This is about fairness and equality. We know there’s a gulf in terms of girls and boys and how they participate in sport.

“We know there’s very few women in significant leadership positions in governing sport and we don’t have enough coverage overall in the media.

“This [network] is going to be a big, big push to agitate for greater change.”

Representatives from a number of Welsh-based organisations attended the launch, which received a great amount of attention on social media.