Over the course of last year, EU Athletes has been coordinating an Erasmus+ project ‘Supporting Women Athletes from Europe’ (SWAFE). Project partners included WGPA (Gaelic sports, Ireland), AJFSF (futsal, Spain) and HPVPA (volleyball, Greece). The project aimed to improve the support that the player unions are offering to their women members, and to support female athletes who are thinking about establishing an association.
The Guide, which is a result of research into experiences of female athletes and the issues identified by the player associations, exchange of experiences and best practices, and aims to provide a concrete assistance on the topic, is available here.
Recently, we have seen many female athletes aroundthe World raising their voices and taking actions against inequality or mistreatment they are experiencing as athletes. We are committed to bringing the European player associations together to work on areas of common interest, gender equality being one of its main priorities.
The European model of sport recognizes the role that the sports trade unions and player associations have in aiming to improve athletes’ working conditions and environment. Ensuring that the unions are well equipped to represent women’s interests will favour a progress in dealing with gender equality issues. Additionally, elite level athletes are the “shop window” for the grass roots and have a role to play in promoting sport participation. Promoting gender equality for them will encourage more girls to take sport seriously and engage in physical activity.
Recently, we have seen many female athletes raising their voices and taking actions against inequality or mistreatment they are experiencing as athletes. We are committed to bringing the European player associations together to work on areas of common interest, gender equality being one of its main priorities. The European model of sport recognizes the role that the sports trade unions and player associations have in aiming to improve athletes’ working conditions and environment. Ensuring that the unions are well equipped to represent women’s interests will favour a progress in dealing with gender equality issues. Additionally, elite level athletes are the “shop window” for the grass roots and have a role to play in promoting sport participation. Promoting gender equality for them will encourage more girls to take sport seriously and engage in physical activity.
More information about the project is available here.