MPs fear summer without sport will stop women playing

A committee of MPs has slammed the Government for supporting men's sport during lockdown at the expense of women. They fear the lack of exposure for female sport this summer will stop many women and girls from playing.

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee cited the Premier League being able to find funding for coronavirus testing in order to resume whilst the Women's Super League was cancelled as an example of women's sport being marginalised in favour of the men's game.

Men's rugby and cycling events have been rescheduled for later in the summer, even though women's events in the same sports were also called off. In cricket, England's men have virtually a full Test schedule against the West Indies and Pakistan whilst the women will not play until September at the earliest.

The inequality in funding and coverage has already been heavily criticised with high-profile sporting names, such as Judy Murray, adding their voices to the campaign.

Now the DCMS Committee has warned the Government their lack of action risks damaging both participation and funding for women's sport.

"Over recent years, women's elite sports have been consistently underfunded compared to men's," the report stated. "In many cases, the financial models for broadcasting and ownership differ from those in male sports.

"The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted, and in some cases even exacerbated, this inequality. While we acknowledge and welcome the Premier League's 'gesture' of giving approximately £1 million to the women's professional football game to assist them with setting up a testing system, the assistance came somewhat late in the day and has not prevented women's competitions being cancelled this season.

"The lack of visibility of women's sport this summer risks undoing work to improve funding for women's elite sport. Cancellation of women's events is likely to reduce the number of women being inspired to take part in sporting activities.

"In its response to this report, the Government should outline how it intends to support women's sport post-crisis and ensure that, going forward, men's elite sports are not further prioritised at the expense of the women's game."