Sport – Women in Sport Aotearoa to release new gender equity research, as Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern headlines 2021 Captains Lunch

– 53% of adult New Zealanders now consider “gender equity in sport” to be an important social cause. This means that nearly 2 million kiwis are now engaged in the idea that positive change is necessary. (Source: Honoco April 2021. Adult = over 18yo).

– Supporters of “gender equity in sport” have also been redefined; the new research shows that support for the movement is relatively gender-balanced at 57% female and 43% male. The movement is also significantly more popular amongst the younger generation, with millennials 19% more likely to support it. 53% of supporters are aged 18-44. The research shows that movement has wide appeal, with the ethnicity of supporters matched closely to the population profile of Aotearoa. (Source: Honoco April 2021)

– The Captains Lunch 2021 is one of the biggest industry-facing events in Aotearoa. It brings the sport and business sector together to focus on women in leadership.

– The event is sold out at 400 and will be hosted at Eden Park Stadium, Friday 7 May.

– This year, the event will mark exactly ‘1 year to go’ until Aotearoa hosts the 8th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport. IWG 2022 is one of the “big 4” international women’s sports events coming to Aotearoa, with the Cricket, Rugby and Football World Cups also scheduled.

– Keynote address from Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern

– Remarks by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Sport & Recreation, Hon Grant Robertson and Chief Executive of Sport New Zealand, Raelene Castle ONZM (Ngāpuhi)

– Release of “gender equity in sport” research and an update on planning for the 8th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport, by Rachel Froggatt, Women in Sport Aotearoa Chief Executive

– Panel conversation featuring Duane Kale ONZM, Vice President of the International Paralympic Committee; BMX Olympic silver medallist and IOC Member for New Zealand, Sarah Walker; International Rally Driver, Emma Gilmour; and former WNBA Basketballer, Megan Compain.

– Over 30 “Captains” (table hosts), including female athletes, coaches, leaders and male allies supporting gender equity. “Captains” include Olympic weightlifter Megan Gifford (nee Signal); NZOC CEO, Kereyn Smith; NZ Cricket CEO, David White; and Netball NZ CEO, Jennie Wyllie.

– Captains Lunch 2021

– Friday, 7 May 2021, 1.00pm – 3.00pm

– Eden Park, South Level 4 Lounge, South Stand, Gate G, Reimers Avenue, Auckland

– Pictures: Will be available from Getty post-event

– Video: Will be available from Women in Sport Aotearoa post-event

Friday, 7 May 2021: Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern will headline a packed agenda at Eden Park this afternoon, as more than 400 sport and business leaders gather at the 2021 Captains Lunch to mark exactly ‘1 year to go’ until the 8th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport.

Taking place between 5-8 May 2022, the 8th IWG World Conference on Women & Sport is the largest gathering in the world dedicated to gender equity in sport and physical activity. Together with the Cricket, Rugby and Football World Cups, it is known in Aotearoa as one of the “big 4”; the four international women’s sports events scheduled to take place in Aotearoa over the next three years.

Women in Sport Aotearoa will use the moment to release brand new research, which demonstrates that 53% of kiwi adults now consider “gender equity in sport” to be an important social cause.

Rachel Froggatt, Chief Executive of Women in Sport Aotearoa, said:

“in recent years, there has been a concerted and coordinated effort at all levels of the system to address imbalances and create equity of opportunity for women and girls to participate, compete and build careers in sport and recreation. In parallel, we have been doing everything we can to raise awareness and understanding and provide support and solutions to help affect positive change.

It’s very heartening to see the results of this hard work appear in this new research. More kiwis than ever before agree with us: creating gender equity in sport is an important social cause. With the ‘big 4’ women’s sports events coming, we have an unparalleled moment to make a permanent change.”

The new research has also redefined the supporter base for the “gender equity in sport” movement.

Rachel continues:

“It has sometimes been said that at its heart, the ‘gender equity in sport’ movement is a “women’s issue”. We’ve long speculated that our kiwi men were far more enlightened. So, we were thrilled to have this proven in the new research, which shows a close gender split amongst supporters.

It also shows that millennials, and people under the age of 44yo, are our biggest supporters. We anticipate that as our current supporter group ages, more support will be added at the younger end. Therefore, the movement will continue to grow in size and scale, leading to even greater impact.”

A vast array of leaders from the business and sport sector will come together at today’s Captains Lunch to network, share ideas and challenge each other to assist in improving gender equity in Aotearoa sport. Prime Minister Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern will join the ranks as the keynote speaker for the event, with an agenda also including remarks by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Sport & Recreation, Hon Grant Robertson and Chief Executive of Sport New Zealand, Raelene Castle ONZM. A panel conversation with Duane Kale ONZM, Vice President of the International Paralympic Committee; BMX Olympic silver medallist and IOC Member for New Zealand, Sarah Walker; and International Rally Driver, Emma Gilmour will also take place, moderated by former WNBA Basketballer, Megan Compain.

Megan Compain, Former WNBA Basketballer and panel moderator, says: “It is incredibly encouraging to see that 53% of all adult New Zealanders see gender equity in sport as an important social issue, and this stat is more or less equally supported across genders. This means the concentrated work and advocacy from the government, NSOs, and organisations such as Women in Sport Aotearoa to raise awareness of the importance of women and girls in sport is starting to pay off.”

“The timing couldn’t be better for New Zealand to take advantage of the three World Cups and hosting of the 8th IWG World Conference on Women in Sport, which we are staging over the next three years”.

About Women in Sport Aotearoa (WISPA)

Women in Sport Aotearoa, Ngā Wāhine Hākinakina o Aotearoa, exists to transform society through leadership, advocacy and research, ensuring that all women and girls gain equity of opportunity to participate, compete and build careers in play, active recreation and sport in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Its strategic vision is to see ‘women and girls valued, visible and influential in sport’. It is working toward this through the delivery of insight and research, change leadership, advocacy campaigns, speaking engagements and events like the Captains Lunch and the Sport NZ Women + Girls Summit.

It works across Aotearoa New Zealand and currently, is also the global delivery agent for the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport Secretariat & Conference 2018-2022, with the 8th IWG World Conference taking place in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland from 5-8 May 2022.

Women in Sport Aotearoa is a charity. Its funding comes from a mix of Grants and Trusts, Donations, Fundraising, Gifts and Commercial Partnerships. Visit the website to learn more or DONATE NOW.

www.womeninsport.org.nz Search ‘Women in Sport Aotearoa’ on: – Facebook – Twitter – Instagram – LinkedIn – YouTube

About the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport

The IWG is the world’s largest network dedicated empowering women and girls and advancing sport. Established in 1994, the IWG advocates for gender equity in sport and physical activity year-round, partnering with key agencies, including UN Women and UNESCO. It developed and remains guardian of the Brighton plus Helsinki 2014 Declaration on Women & Sport, which now has almost 600 signatories, and delivers the well-respected IWG Progress Report at the quadrennial IWG World Conference. The IWG administrative function moves every four years and is currently in New Zealand.