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The U.K. government will further fund women’s sports through its new Women’s Sport Investment Accelerator, launching this fall. U.K.-based professional women’s leagues, teams, competitions, and events can apply to seek funding from the program.
The government expects the country’s women’s sports industry to be worth more than $1.2 billion annually by 2030.
Deloitte’s Sports Business Group and the International Working Group on Women and Sport have partnered with the UK government’s Department for Business and Trade to form the new accelerator. England’s national soccer team finished as a runner-up to Spain in the recent Women’s World Cup, and the U.K.’s investment program follows the Australian government’s $200 million women’s sports funding commitment made earlier this month.
“We want to make the UK the world’s top destination for women’s sport investment, and with this new scheme, we can build on the Lionesses’ fantastic World Cup run to help attract investment in women’s sports’ next success stories,” said Nusrat Ghani, the U.K.’s Minister for Industry and Economic Security. “This is an open goal for women’s sports leagues, teams, and competitions looking for backing and will give rightsholders the tools they need to secure investment and drive growth.”
English soccer’s top-tier Women’s Super League and the Netball Super League were mentioned by the government’s press release as organizations that could benefit from the new investment vehicle. Organizations have until Sept. 8 to apply for the accelerator.
Organizations accepted into the U.K.’s accelerator will also have access to networking events and mentorship from sports industry experts and investors.
