Nick Pink, chief executive of Hockey England, said the country was “on the crest of a really exciting wave for women in the sport” as the women’s team had the chance to win Commonwealth gold on Sunday.
England will face Australia in the final of the 2022 Birmingham Games for a chance to continue the success of the UK’s top female players – momentum that Pink believes has been “building up for several years now”.
The 45-year-old added that the victory of the lionesses in the European Championships brought about “important changes” in perceptions of women’s sport, helped by the number of women participating behind the scenes.
“I don’t think it was just last week with lionesses, I think it’s been growing for several years,” Pink told the Palestinian News Agency.
Pink said players at the Commonwealth Games are a ‘real inspiration’ (PA)
“There is a lot to celebrate about women’s sport more broadly, and there are more and more women participating at all levels of management in all organizations.
“And that is starting to reflect in terms of success on the field as well.
“We’re on the crest of a really exciting wave for women in sports.”
Pink said the UK’s ability to host successful events is partly responsible for the growing celebration of women’s sport, and crucially encourages young people to participate.
“We host them very well. We also host them in different parts of the country, giving more access to girls and boys.
“I think the sports and government bodies that offer many sports programs through their network of clubs and volunteers are now focusing a lot more on the importance of ensuring that their programs are inclusive rather than exclusive.
“I think as a nation, our infrastructure wants to see that change and our volunteer network wants to see that change.”
Pink spoke about the importance of diversifying the sport through grassroots initiatives, many of which are supported with funding from the National Lottery.
Hannah Martin of England celebrates after scoring in a penalty shootout during the Women’s Hockey (PA) semi-finals
(PA wire)
“Recently, we started a partnership with the Islamic Sports Foundation and this allowed us to work with Muslim girls for the first time,” he said.
“There is a demand and opportunity, if put in well, to ensure that the sport is more sustainable in different parts of the country.”
Pink added that he won the European Championship last week with his nine-year-old son.
“It was amazing, it was so inspiring,” he said.
“And the first thing he (my son) said to me was, ‘Why aren’t we there? Why don’t we watch it live?’
“It showed within two or three weeks of that competition, what they did to change the perception of women’s sport — not just to my son, but to the nation…I think they really led to a big change.
“I think there will be tremendous success for women’s football going forward.”
England will face Australia in the women’s hockey final on Sunday.
Pink said both male and female hockey players in England were “a real inspiration”.
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