Northumbria University in gender equity commitment for sport

Northumbria University, based in Newcastle, formally signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration at Durham Cricket Ground on May 10.

The signing took place during the England Women’s One Day International against New Zealand.

The declaration is a global pledge supported by more than 600 representatives from approximately 100 countries.

It promotes equal opportunities for women and girls at every level of sport and physical activity, from grassroots to elite performance.

Professor Louise Bracken, pro vice-chancellor for research and knowledge exchange at Northumbria, said: “Signing the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration is a proud moment for Northumbria, and one that feels absolutely right.

“We are not starting from scratch.

“We have dedicated researchers, talented athletes, committed coaches, and passionate students who are already living these principles every day.

“What the Declaration does is bring all of that together under a shared, internationally recognised commitment.

“It sends a clear signal to our students, our staff, and our partners across the region that gender equity in sport is not an aspiration for us, it is a responsibility we take seriously.

“To sign alongside so many outstanding North East organisations, in the presence of Mayor Kim McGuinness, made this a genuinely significant day for the region.”

The original Brighton Declaration was first established in 1994 and updated in Helsinki in 2014.

It now covers both organised sport and wider physical activity, aiming to remove barriers and increase representation, access and support for women in every sporting context.

Northumbria’s signing builds on work already underway at the university.

Its Women’s Sport and Wellbeing Interdisciplinary Research Team (IDRT) is focused on evidence-based improvements in women’s health, sport, and wellbeing.

The team addresses issues such as menstrual health, menopause, and barriers to participation.

A cross-university group will oversee Northumbria’s progress against the declaration, with updates reported through the university’s gender equality forum.

The declaration carries no legal obligations, but signatories are encouraged to report on progress.

Dr Heather Robson, interim pro vice-chancellor for education and senior sponsor for gender equality at Northumbria, said: “Signing the Declaration is about a meaningful and public commitment, embedding Equality, Diversity and Inclusion into all sport and physical activity strategies at Northumbria ensuring that every woman and girl has the opportunity to participate in a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment, regardless of their background, ability or circumstances.”

The declaration’s principles cover a wide spectrum of support, including leadership, research, education, high-performance sport, facilities and grassroots access.

Northumbria’s women’s rugby league team has seen consistent success in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) programme.

The team has won every league and cup competition since joining the league.

The university also introduced a new intramural netball league this year, engaging more than 160 students across 12 teams and nine academic schools and broadening participation for women in sport.

Annamarie Phelps, co-chair of the International Working Group (IWG) on Women and Sport, said: “The North East is a region defined by its passion for sport, and today it becomes a region defined by its commitment to equity.

“To see this cross-sector collective join our global movement is a testament to the power of collaboration and cooperation to ensure that every woman and girl has an environment she can thrive in.”