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Sherborne Girls is delighted to be hosting Girls Go Gold 2024; the national Girls’ Schools Association Conference, aimed at inspiring the next generation of women in sport.
The 2024 Girls Go Gold event is entitled Raising the Bar and through engagement with an array of positive female role models, it aims to increase the visibility of women's sport, showcase existing and future opportunities to work within the industry, and inspire an audience of over 400 young athletes to aim high.
The impressive line-up includes talks by Sue Anstiss, MBE, author, director, podcaster and entrepreneur and Clare Balding CBE, esteemed broadcaster, author and advocate for gender equality in sports. Attendees will also receive specialist coaching from current and past elite level performers and coaches, many of whom will have just returned from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, including Eboni Usoro-Brown, Heather Fell OLY, Liz Cann, Jade Windley, Justine Lucas, Georgia Lees and Grace Balsdon OLY.
“It is a particularly exciting time to be hosting this event off the back of the first ever Olympics in history to show numerical gender parity on the field of play, with the same number of female and male athletes taking part. Through Girls Go Gold 2024 – Raising the Bar – we hope to continue the momentum that has been building in women's sport, to showcase the experiences of trailblazers in the field, to create an atmosphere of possibility and opportunity, and to inspire every girl to recognise they have limitless potential.” Hannah Parkin, Head of Sport, Sherborne Girls.
“The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” - Michelangelo
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Sue Anstiss MBE is an author, director, podcaster and entrepreneur who has driven change in women’s sport for over 30 years.
Sue is the director and producer of the Netflix documentary Game On. The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport. Her book of the same name was shortlisted for the Sunday Times Sports Book Awards and longlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year.
Sue is the creator and host of The Game Changers, an award-winning podcast that celebrates trailblazing women in sport, and is co-founder of the Women’s Sport Collective, an inclusive community for women working in sport. She also sits on England Rugby’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Group, was a founding trustee of the Women’s Sport Trust and is a Trustee of Leisure Focus.
In 2018, Sue received an MBE for her services to women’s sport. In 2021, she received a Distinguished Alumni Award from Loughborough University and in 2023 was recognised in BBC Woman’s Hour Power List as one of 30 outstanding women in sport.
Clare Balding CBE is an esteemed broadcaster, author, and advocate for gender equality in sports. With a career spanning over three decades, Clare is known for her extensive work with the BBC and Channel 4, covering major events like the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. An accomplished author, she has written several best-selling books, including her memoir "My Animals and Other Family." Clare's contributions to sports broadcasting and her efforts to promote inclusivity have earned her numerous awards, including a BAFTA Special Award and a CBE. Her engaging style and insightful commentary have made her a beloved figure in sports media.
Our programme of event will include exciting masterclasses by leading athletes including:
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Talk 1: Grace Balsdon, Laura Sugar and Heather Fell - Life as an Olympian & Paralympian in the Paris, Tokoyo, Beijing Games
Grace Balsdon OLY provides an engaging glimpse into life as a Team GB Hockey squad member during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and previously in Tokoyo. Laura Sugar MBE, former Senior Wales Hockey player (U20 Captain) and Paralympian, originally in the T44 100m sprint (competing at the Rio 2016 Games). Laura switched to Paracanoe and was a Tokoyo 2020 Gold Medallist and we wait in anticipation to hear how she gets on in Paris, as the current World Champion. They will be supported by the experienced Heather Fell OLY, who will share her modern pentathlon medal journey and her subsequent career managing a youtube channel and commentating for Eurosport. They will delve into the daily routines, camaraderie with teammates, the reality of life as an athlete and the excitement of competing on an international stage. The three guests share personal anecdotes and reflect on the unique challenges and exhilarating moments that define the Olympic and Paralympic experience for athletes in sport.
Talk 2: Sue Anstiss MBE ‘The Unstoppable Rise of Women’s Sport’
Having recently been in the spotlight for her documentaries on Netflix, Sue Anstiss engages with the audience to share her extensive experience in sports leadership and advocacy for women for equality in sport and beyond. She discusses pivotal moments in history and shares insights on current trends and challenges in the sports industry, whilst giving insights into life as an author, director and podcaster for The Gamechangers, where she interviews trail blazers in women’s sport.
Talk 3: Georgia Lees/ Liz Cann/ Jade Windley - Goal Setting into Sports Careers
Georgia Lees offers insights into her dual careers: navigating life in the Super league as a netball coach and player, as well as working in A & E as a Physician Associate. As a former National Badminton player, after battling through many injuries and adversities, Liz Cann became passionate about studying neuroscience, neuro-linguistic programming and many other mindset enhancing tools and techniques to help her get the best out of herself. Jade Windley has travelled to over 40 different countries, competing against the best tennis players in the world as a former professional tennis player, including for Great Britain and in the main draw at Wimbledon. Unfortunately, Jade was involved in a car accident in 2014 which changed the course of her career and she became an Athlete mentor and shares her top tips for facing adversity. All 3 women discuss the challenges, triumphs, and balance required to excel both on the court and in their respective careers, providing a compelling look into how to develop the mind to pave the way to success at elite level.
Talk 4: Lauren McMurchie and Georgia Adderley on Women's Football & FIFA Licensed Agent on Sports Marketing/Talent Growth/Social Media
Lauren McMurchie discusses her career in women's football, having played professionally for Glasgow City, Nottingham Forest and Scotland. Together with Georgia Adderley, they created Onyx FC in Dubai to grow women’s football in the UAE and establish a community for all ages and levels. Georgia is the founder of Add Management with a passion for female empowerment, business, sport and entertainment. She has worked in the marketing and PR sector for the last decade. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with Marketing, a BA Honours Degree in Broadcast Journalism and is a FIFA Licensed and FA Registered Football Agent. With a love for women's football and female-empowering businesses, Georgia's focus remains on making a positive impact wherever she can. This talk will focus on sports marketing, talent development and tips on leveraging social media. Both women will share their reflections on advancing women's football, navigating the sports industry, and harnessing digital platforms to enhance athlete visibility and engagement.
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We are looking for sponsors who share our passion for educating and inspiring the next generation to continue to raise the bar, including in women’s sport. We would also be delighted to consider gifts in kind. Sponsorship will help cover the costs and ensure we maximise the opportunity this exciting event presents.
Benefits for sponsors range from interaction with elite coaches, performers, young athletes and their coaches, to access to delegates and participating schools through exposure in the event programme, school website, social media, and PR. There is also a further opportunity to reach Sherborne Girls families through inclusion in the weekly e-newsletter in the run-up and post event.