Active Partnerships National Organisation Champions Gender Equity in Sport Ahead of Global Summit

In the month before we bring Global Summit on Women and Sport to Birmingham, the Active Partnerships National Organisation (APNO) has officially signed the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration. 

By joining the global network of over 700 signatories, APNO is reinforcing its commitment to driving system change and advancing gender equity across the sport and physical activity sector. 

APNO plays a vital role as a catalyst for change, connecting, strengthening, and enabling a network of 42 Active Partnerships (APs) across England. Together, they are working to create inclusive, safe, and empowering environments where women and girls can be active, lead, and thrive. 

The organisation’s approach includes tackling persistent barriers and embedding inclusive practices at every level through initiatives such as: 

Redesigning Safe Spaces: Activating over 100 sites via the Multi-Sport Strategic Fund, with 50% specifically targeting women and girls, and partnering with national organisations to advocate for safer, more welcoming built environments. 

Empowering the Next Generation: Piloting a coordinated ‘Positive Experiences for Girls Toolkit’ alongside ten key partners to tackle the teenage drop-out rate in physical activity and sport. 

Supporting Lifelong Activity & Welfare: Managing the national Sport Welfare Officer (SWO) network to ensure safe club cultures, while driving broader cultural shifts through network-wide Menopause Commitments and maternity advocacy. 

Transforming Leadership: Equipping the sector with practical tools to dismantle barriers to equity via their Women, Leadership & Governance report and the promotion of inclusive recruitment processes. 

Andy Taylor, CEO of the Active Partnerships National Organisation, said: 

“Sport and physical activity have the power to change lives and so it is essential that every woman and girl feels empowered to be active in ways that work for them and in places where they feel safe and welcome. 

“APNO is committed to advancing gender equity in sport and physical activity by creating inclusive opportunities and environments where women and girls can lead and thrive, and committed to supporting our network to continue tackling the inequality that women and girls have traditionally faced. 

“Being a Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration signatory strengthens this commitment, by aligning us with a global movement for change, helping us remain accountable and underlining our intention to build a more equitable sport and physical activity sector."

APNO's formal signing marks a vital step in their ongoing dedication to collaborative learning, sharing practical insights, and driving collective action across the wider sports landscape. 

Annamarie Phelps, Co-Chair of the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG), said: 

"We are delighted to welcome the Active Partnerships National Organisation to our global network of signatories. With the IWG Global Summit coming to Birmingham in just one month, having such a pivotal UK organisation join us is incredibly powerful. We look forward to learning from their extensive work and sharing their best practice insights across our global network."