About Us - Women's Sports Network

About

Women's sport gets about 2% of all sports media coverage in the UK - leaving women's sport short-changed and presents a clear lack of healthy and active role models for women and girls to look to. Women's sport is underfunded, under promoted and lacks availability at all levels. Last year we supported the launch of "The Women's Sporting Calendar 2012" as a fund raising exercise for a number of charities and women's sports.

This year, in the lead up to London 2012, we hope to give some focus, direction and exposure to the potential offered by women's sport as a powerful motivator for women, a community driver, a rich vein for healthy exercise/wellbeing & confidence building and an exciting alternative to TV, computer games and reality shows! We plan to raise the profile of many of our world-class sportswomen and get young girls more interested in sport by raising them up as role models.

A group of sports nuts have come together to make this happen. They range from young sports students to middle-aged mums and from current internationals to retired sportsman. Many already have considerable experience in specific women's sports promotion, publishing and broadcasting. They bring together a wide range of skills, sports and experiences to cover women’s sports events - their profiles and contact details are given below. If you want to be kept up to date on how we plan to develop this channel in the lead up to London 2012 sign up in our "Updates" section.

Editor in chief

Name: Amy Carter
Former professional windsurfer, water sports addict and lover of the great outdoors, despite being London based. Founder of FLOW - For Ladies Of Watersports, Co-Editor for Boards Magazine and now delighted to be Editor in Chief for Women's Sports Network.

Media manager

Name: Ami Cook
Graduate in Applied Sports Coaching Science (hons) 2:1
Interests are property and sport, in particular: Hockey and Trialthon. Play hockey at a regional level and compete in triathlons as a summer hobby. Would like to combine both passions at some point in later life!

Marketing Co-ordinators

Archery

Name: Philippa Stott
Graduate of University of Bath 2012; BA Coach Education and Sports Development Particular Interests: Archery (although no longer participate), Athletics, Tennis, Sports Marketing and Events Management

Athletics

Name: Claire Butler
Ba (Hons) Sports Development & Coaching Graduate from Staffordshire University and mum of 3 children. Loving working with WSNET as increasing sports participation for girls and women is an ambition of mine. Sporting Interests: Athletics, Swimming, Netball and Yoga.

Baseball/softball

Name: Molly Strother
Graduated from University of Westminster in 2012 with a degree in human nutrition. My speciality is sports nutrition and am a certified sports nutritionist through the International Society of Sports Nutrition. I am also a UK certified nutritionist through the Association for Nutrition. Since the age of 5, I have participated in softball, basketball, and football and continue to play recreational softball. I also enjoy hiking, skiing and golf.

Basketball

Name: Livi Cracknell
Graduate of University of Nottingham, currently working in marketing. Former President of University of Nottingham Women's Football Club. Interests: Football, basketball, running and sports management.

Bowls - Green

Name: Alistair Hollis
A former international bowls player at junior and senior level, Alistair is now Development Officer for Bowls England where his responsibilities include marketing and PR. Alistair loves all sport, but his first passion is bowls for which he will act as a MC.

Cricket

Name: Alice Ward
Loughborough University Sports Management undergraduate. Particularly interests: Cricket and equestrian sports.

Cycling

Name: Lara Hayward
MA in Ethics & Law with specialisation in ethical implications of Human Enhancement in Sport.
Particular interests: Triathlon, Cycling, increasing participation in sport, sponsorship, sports charity partnerships and events management.

Equestrian

Name: Anne Clarke
Anne currently combines her role at the British Equestrian Federation (BEF) with a management role at a PR agency. Passionate about Horse Driving Trials (Carriage Driving), Vaulting (Gymnastics on horses) & Horseball (Basketball on horseback).

Fencing

Name: Dominique McLachlan
Griffith University Sport Management Post Graduate. Particular interests: Running, fencing, and tennis.

Gymnastics

Name: Ruth Summerfield
I am a gap-year student having recently completed my studies at Bassaleg Sixth Form and am a prospective undergraduate of Modern Languages and International Relations, University undecided. I am a keen participator and spectator of many sports, such as equestrian sports, swimming and athletics but have a particular passion for gymnastics and social media within sports. In my spare time I enjoy reading, walking, practicing Spanish and attempting gymnastics - and mostly failing!

Handball

Name: Holly Pickett
Currently studying at Sport Science and Oxford Brookes university and playing for Oxford United ladies Fc. Enjoying playing in the south west combinations at a good standard of football with Oxford and playing with some great players looking to play at the next level. I like to meet new people, go to the cinema and socialise with friends and family. I am a big fan on music and love going to gigs.

Health & Wellbeing

Name: Leila Whitman
I have recently graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with a Bsc in Sport and Exercise Science and have a place to start my masters in September '13. I played hockey for Sheffield Hallam University for 3 years and now help coach the team. I am passionate about sports and fitness and have also played football, rugby, tennis and Judo from a young age.

Hockey

Name: Sally Rose
A hockey player for 20 years, also plays squash and golf but will "have a go " at any sport. Currently studying with the Open Uni and enjoys horse riding and photography in spare time.

Netball

Name: Lil Roe
Exeter Uni graduate, currently working in Sports development. Interests: Netball, Badminton and Fitness."

Rugby Union

Name: Lizzie Curnock
English Literature graduate currently studying Law specialising in Sports Law. Particular interests: Rugby union, tennis, equestrian sports.

Running

Name: Carol Austin
MA Cultural Studies Particular interests: Running, cycling, hockey, football and tennis. Running is her passion having completed over 25 half-marathons and five marathons. Determined to ensure that one Olympic legacy is more girls and women taking part in sport and fitness and more people knowing about it through an increased media profile of women's sport.

Sailing

Name: Jennifer Wood
University of Reading English Literature & German undergraduate.
Particular interests: Winter and water sports.

Snowsports

Name: Chloe Palios
I am a 19 year old Gap Year student who has just finished studying at Dr. Challoner's High School. I have always been interested in sports and after my role as Sports Ambassador for my school I wanted to get involved in promoting women's sport in the UK. As I snowboard and ski as a hobby, I have enjoyed researching the Winter Sports for the Women's Sport Network.

Squash

Name: Vicky Clark
BSc (hons) in Psychology and MSc in Forensic Psychology. I am the UK Co-ordinator of World Squash Day. Particular interests: squash, writing, sports marketing and event management.

Swimming

Name: Robyn Rounce
Bsc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Sport Development (Coventry University).
Sporting Interests include Swimming, Tennis and Football.

Tennis