Beyond the win: what equality in sport really means

Sunday’s Euros final was unforgettable.
The Lionesses didn’t just win, they made history (again!)

And it’s working. Girls across the country are picking up boots, balls, and bibs - inspired by what they’ve seen. But while the celebrations are loud (and so so deserved), there’s a quieter conversation we still need to have.

Today I’m talking about:

• Info: What gender equity in sport really looks like

• Tips: How to create gender- and neuro-inclusive spaces in sport

• Recommendations: Inclusive voices and initiatives worth knowing

⚽ The Lionesses have inspired a generation, but the work isn’t done

There’s no denying it: the visibility and success of England’s women’s team has shifted the landscape.

More girls are playing football.
More schools are investing in girls’ sport.
This is vital progress.

But real equality? It’s not just about girls playing football.
It’s also about challenging the gendering of all sports.

Take netball.
It’s one of my special interests. I play, coach, umpire, and recently started an inclusive netball club for young children. I absolutely LOVE it.

My club is thriving. As is the sport in general. But having said that, I see a really key issue when it comes to the future of netball, girls’ sports and gender equality in sports… Netball is still too often dismissed as a “girls’ sport” - not in a celebratory way, but a patronising one.

Many well-meaning efforts invest in netball to support girls.
But what if we also encouraged boys to play?

Not because boys make it more legitimate.
But because breaking down gender labels helps everyone see the sport for what it is: fast, skilled, strategic, and for everyone.

Until that changes, netball and sports like it will continue to be undervalued.
We don’t get real change by flipping old dynamics.
We get there by rewriting the rules.

Let’s talk gender harmony, and who’s being left out.

If we want sport to be truly equitable, we can’t stop at binary gender representation. That means we also need to look at how trans and non-binary people are being excluded from sport - especially in light of recent rulings.

Progress for some shouldn’t come at the cost of others. We need a new conversation about gender harmony in sport. One that’s built on access, safety, dignity, and joy - for all bodies and identities.

That’s why in my own club, inclusion isn’t a buzzword - it’s the foundation. We make space for difference. We welcome everyone. We celebrate individuality, not conformity.

And that includes neurodivergence too. My obsession with netball isn’t just a hobby - it’s a special interest. It gives me focus, energy, and connection. And I see the same joy in the kids I coach, some of whom are neurodivergent themselves. Sport is regulation. Sport is expression. But only when it’s designed to include.

🌟 Representation matters, in more ways than one

Did you know Lucy Bronze - one of the Lionesses’ most celebrated players - is autistic?

That representation matters.

We need more of it.
On the pitch. In clubs. At school. In leadership.

When we make sport accessible to everyone - regardless of gender, neurotype or background - we create something bigger than the game.

We create belonging.

Tips: How to make sport more inclusive

• Challenge gender assumptions: Let kids choose what they want to play - no judgment.

• Create mixed spaces: Where safe and appropriate, mix up teams and activities.

• Build predictable routines: Consistent structure helps neurodivergent kids feel secure.

• Use flexible communication: Don’t rely only on verbal instructions.

• Celebrate difference: Whether it’s effort, style, or ability - highlight what makes each player shine.

📚 Recommendations

• Neurodiverse Sport – founded by former Olympic rower, Caragh McMurtry, and elite cyclist, Mikey Mottram - they’re on a mission to transform the sports sector into a place where neurodivergent individuals - at every level - can engage, compete, and thrive with confidence.

• Doc Wayne – US sport-based therapy charity supporting mental health through play.

• Gendered Intelligence – Brilliant UK charity advocating for trans inclusion, including in sport.

💬 Final thought

The Lionesses showed us what belief and backing can do.

But this is just the start.

Let’s build a sporting culture where every child - regardless of gender, identity or neurotype - can play, thrive, and belong.

Thanks for reading,
Jess

PS Whenever you’re ready, here are some ways I can help:

• Join the NeuroNavigator® programme and become a certified Neurodiversity Champion. Doors for September start are open now!

• Want me to speak in your organisation? Head here to book a chat and make a plan.

• Book a FREE Discovery call to chat through how I can support your workplace, your school or your family.