sHIFT
Sessions

On Day Two of the Summit, delegates will experience the Shift Sessions; an unparalleled programme of more than 25 hours of themed content across five purpose-driven stages.

Each stage will dive into the issues that matter most, challenging assumptions, sparking bold ideas and exploring practical strategies to accelerate equality and equity for women and girls in sport.

What makes Shift Sessions different is that they are carefully designed programmes of content, not just speaker slots we have filled. Each session is being shaped by global teams with clear objectives, ensuring conversations that are purposeful, outcomes-focused and built to deliver real impact.

Through a dynamic mix of presentations, panels, dialogues and labs, delegates will be able to create their own bespoke agenda, choosing the sessions most relevant to their work and priorities.

Shift Sessions: Shifting perspectives, shaping change.

Investment
Hall 1
Leadership
Hall 8
Visibility
Hall 9
Innovation
Hall 10
Participation
Hall 11

SHIFT 1-5

TIME
SESSION 1

MIND THE GAP: IS INVESTMENT AT THE TOP STIFLING INVESTMENT LOWER DOWN?

As investment pours into elite women’s sport, this panel asks: does top-tier focus drive wider growth or concentrate power in “super clubs,” risking grassroots, emerging sports and equitable global development?

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SESSION 2

DESIGNING LEADERSHIP PROGRAMMES FOR THE FUTURE: PART 1 - LESSONS FROM THE LAST DECADE

A decade of global women’s leadership programmes reveals what works vs what doesn’t and how to design inclusive, future-ready training that empowers all leaders – without trying to ‘fix’ the women.

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SESSION 3

THE POWER OF THE MEDIA

It’s not just about who broadcasts women’s sport. It’s who shapes the story and what platforms can do to accelerate – or stall – change.

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SESSION 4

INCLUSIVE INNOVATION: REIMAGINING THE ATHLETE EXPERIENCE

Exploring how innovation is reshaping the athlete journey, this session focuses on inclusive and adaptive sport, para sport and technologies that empower all athletes to perform, participate and thrive.

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SESSION 5

FREEDOM TO MOVE

This session explores the way community leaders are engaging women and girls to understand and remove barriers to community spaces, identifying what it takes to create spaces and places where they can be active and thrive.

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SHIFT 6-10

TIME
SESSION 6

POWER, POLICY AND PLAY: THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENTS IN SPORT

This panel examines how public funding and policy shape women’s sport, driving reform in contexts like the UK, Australia and New Zealand, but also causing stagnation or backlash elsewhere.

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SESSION 7

DESIGNING LEADERSHIP PROGRAMMES FOR THE FUTURE: PART 2 - THEORY INTO PRACTICE

A practical, future-focused exercise in leadership development. Reflect on your journey and gain tools to design inclusive, impactful programmes for emerging leaders in your sport or organisation.

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SESSION 8

MORE EYES ON WOMEN’S SPORT = MORE MONEY IN THE GAME

Discover how organisations are harnessing the rising visibility of women’s sport to drive commercial growth, as sponsors, rights-holders and data experts share their strategies and key learnings.

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SESSION 9

REIMAGINING FANDOM: FROM BROADCAST TO BELONGING

This session explores fandom as community, commerce and change – with a focus on esports, gaming and Gen Z audiences shaping the future of sport consumption.

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SESSION 10

SHAPING THE JOURNEY: THE ATHLETE VOICE

With insights from a range of sports, this session will focus on approaches to engaging athletes in the decisions that matter within talent pathways.

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SHIFT 11-15

TIME
SESSION 11

FOR PURPOSE OR PROFIT? AN INSIDE TRACK INTO BRAND INVESTMENT INTO WOMEN’S SPORTS

Global brands reveal why they invest in women’s sport, sharing strategies, challenges, ROI lessons and redefining success beyond traditional sponsorship metrics.

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SESSION 12

COACHING AT THE TOP: WHO DID YOU HAVE TO BECOME?

Elite coaching demands more than technical skill – it requires navigating relationships, systems and expectations. Hear from top coaches and researchers on how women succeed while staying true to your coaching philosophy.

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SESSION 13

BEYOND THE GAME: POP CULTURE AND THE RISE OF WOMEN’S SPORT

Explores how women’s sport is crossing into pop culture – shaping identity, influencing youth and lifestyle trends and reaching new audiences through entertainment, fashion and digital storytelling.

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SESSION 14

FUTURE-READY SPORT: LEADING AND GOVERNING DIFFERENTLY

How can sports organisations stay relevant as technology, social expectations and business models shift? This session explores AI, governance and inclusive leadership in shaping future-ready sport.

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SESSION 15

WE ALL PLAY A PART: THE CRITICAL ROLE OF MEN AND BOYS IN TACKLING GENDER EQUALITY

We will look into public attitudes towards gender equality around the globe and the role men and boys play in creating spaces and places where everyone can be active and thrive.

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SHIFT 16-20

TIME
SESSION 16

THE LONG GAME: BALANCING INVESTMENT WITH SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

Exploring sustainable investment in women’s sport: balancing fast growth, financial resilience and autonomy while examining ownership models, equity and long-term ecosystem development.

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SESSION 17

FROM PODIUM TO BOARDROOM

More female athletes than ever are stepping into leadership roles – but are we setting them up to succeed? This session will explore how we can supercharge the athlete-to-leader pathway.

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SESSION 18

CHANGING THE LENS

Explores who creates the imagery in sport, how stories are framed and the steps being taken to change and elevate the narratives.

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SESSION 19

INNOVATION FOR IMPACT: DATA, DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

This session highlights grassroots-led innovation, data that matters and scalable models delivering equity and impact in local communities.

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SESSION 20

FRAMING THE FUTURE: LANGUAGE, NARRATIVE AND THE POWER OF STORYTELLING

An exploration into how the language we use shapes perceptions of women and girls in sport and physical activity.

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SHIFT 21-25

TIME
SESSION 21

VALUING AND FUNDING WOMEN’S SPORT WITH PURPOSE

Exploring investment and sustainability in women’s sport, this panel examines ownership models, funding strategies and sustainable growth, highlighting lessons from affiliated, women-only and multi-club structures.

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SESSION 22

BABIES, BURNOUT AND BULLIES: SURVIVING THE MESSY REALITY OF LEADERSHIP

Leadership can be exhilarating – and exhausting. This session explores burnout, balance and resilience through expert advice and raw storytelling, offering practical tools and encouragement for navigating leadership’s toughest moments.

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SESSION 23

MEASURING WHAT MATTERS

Examines how visibility is defined and measured – from audience metrics to internal reporting – and why robust measurement is key to driving accountability, investment and action.

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SESSION 24

SYSTEMS CHANGE THROUGH SPORT: DISRUPT, REGENERATE, REIMAGINE

Exploring sport as a lever for societal transformation, this session focuses on regenerative models, equity-centred funding and policy shifts that remove structural barriers.

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SESSION 25

YOUNG WOMEN RISING: CREATING SPACES, DRIVING CHANGE

We would like to invite the IWG network to contribute research, ideas, presentation content for this session. Please see our Call for Content under the news section or watch out for announcements on social media.

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Show By
Theme

Investment
Leadership
Visibility
Innovation
Participation
Hall 9

SESSION 3

TIME

THE POWER OF THE MEDIA

It’s not just about who broadcasts women’s sport. It’s who shapes the story and what platforms can do to accelerate – or stall – change.

FIND OUT MORE

SESSION 8

TIME

MORE EYES ON WOMEN’S SPORT = MORE MONEY IN THE GAME

Discover how organisations are harnessing the rising visibility of women’s sport to drive commercial growth, as sponsors, rights-holders and data experts share their strategies and key learnings.

FIND OUT MORE

SESSION 13

TIME

BEYOND THE GAME: POP CULTURE AND THE RISE OF WOMEN’S SPORT

Explores how women’s sport is crossing into pop culture – shaping identity, influencing youth and lifestyle trends and reaching new audiences through entertainment, fashion and digital storytelling.

FIND OUT MORE

SESSION 18

TIME

CHANGING THE LENS

Explores who creates the imagery in sport, how stories are framed and the steps being taken to change and elevate the narratives.

FIND OUT MORE

SESSION 23

TIME

MEASURING WHAT MATTERS

Examines how visibility is defined and measured – from audience metrics to internal reporting – and why robust measurement is key to driving accountability, investment and action.

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IWG Women & Sport, c/o The Sport & Recreation Alliance, Holborn Tower, 137-145 High Holborn, London WC1V 6PL, United Kingdom