North East Leaders Join Global Movement To Accelerate Gender Equity In Sport

 The North East of England has joined a global movement for gender equity in sport. Eight of the region's most influential sporting, political, and educational institutions united on Sunday at Durham Cricket Ground in a historic multi-signing of the International Working Group (IWG) on Women & Sport’s Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration.

A Regional Blueprint for Change

The signatories span professional sport, community foundations, world-class universities, and regional government - creating a powerful cross-sector alliance committed to dismantling barriers that prevent women and girls from participating, leading, and thriving in sport and physical activity.

The organisations joining IWG's global network are:

• Durham Cricket.

• Durham Cricket Foundation.

• Eagles Community Foundation.

• England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). 

• Foundation of Light.

• Newcastle Eagles Basketball. 

• Newcastle Red Bulls.

• Newcastle United Foundation. 

• Newcastle University.

• North East Combined Authority (NECA).

• Northumbria University Newcastle.

IWG's Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration serves as a global roadmap for the development of a more equitable system for sport and physical activity. As new signatories, these North East organisations join a network of over 600 global organisations dedicated to sharing knowledge, driving evidence-based change, and accelerating the pace of progress. 

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

Each signatory joins the movement as a formalisation of long-standing efforts to embed equity into the fabric of North East sport, from pioneering STEM-based basketball programmes and establishing professional cricket pathways to strengthening international leadership workshops and regional infrastructure. 

Voices from the Region

Phil Collins, Chair, Durham Cricket:

"Cricket has a powerful role to play in creating equal opportunities, and as a signatory, we’re committing to turning intent into action, ensuring women and girls are visible, valued and supported at every level of the game.” 

Graeme Weeks, CEO, Durham Cricket Foundation: 

“Becoming a signatory to the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration is an important recognition of Durham Cricket Foundation’s long-term commitment to creating opportunities, driving positive cultural change and continuing to grow a thriving future for women and girls in sport across the North East.”

Samantha Blake DL, CEO, Eagles Community Foundation:

“Eagles Community Foundation is committed to creating inclusive, meaningful opportunities for women and girls to engage in sport and physical activity. Becoming a signatory of the Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration reinforces our commitment to gender equity and connects us to a global movement driving lasting change.” 

Richard Gould, Chief Executive, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB):

"The ECB is committed to making cricket a gender-balanced sport. The game is growing rapidly at professional and grassroots levels, and with England and Wales hosting the Women's T20 World Cup this year we want to use this as an opportunity to inspire even more women and girls to pick up a bat and ball and to establish women's cricket in the

sporting mainstream.” 

Lesley Spuhler OBE, DL, CEO, Foundation of Light:

"At Foundation of Light, we believe sport has the power to change lives. Becoming a signatory strengthens our commitment to ensuring women and girls have equal opportunities to participate, develop and thrive through sport and physical activity."

Paul Blake, Managing Director, Newcastle Eagles 

“Newcastle Eagles is proud to join fellow Brighton Plus Helsinki Declaration signatories from across the North East. As the club's women’s top-flight British basketball franchise prepares to celebrate 10 seasons as Eagles next year, we couldn’t be more committed to the growth of women’s sport and to the gender stereotype-breaking educational and physical activity initiatives surrounding our programme, which will engage and inspire future generations.” 

Katy Storie, Director of Sport, Newcastle University Sport:

“Through strong female participation rates, targeted programming, representation within clubs and leadership, and a commitment to inclusive practice, Newcastle University Sport demonstrates meaningful and measurable progress towards gender equality. We remain committed to further strengthening our provision to ensure that all women have equal opportunity to participate, develop, and succeed in sport and physical activity.” 

Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor: 

“The North East is a proud sporting region, and we want to be known as a true region of sport – where opportunity is open to everyone. We're already backing women in sport, whether that's young girls just starting out to female athletes paving the way for the next generation. By signing this Declaration, we want to go even further to break down barriers and make sure women and girls have equal chances to take part, lead and succeed in sport." 

Heather Robson, Senior Sponsor Gender Equality & Pro Vice Chancellor Education, Northumbria University Newcastle: 

"Through Northumbria's existing work, we are already meeting the ambitions and principles of the Declaration in our commitment to creating a culture where everyone, regardless of gender, identity, or background, can thrive, contribute, and lead, ensuring that equity and inclusion are everyday realities for everyone who works and studies at Northumbria."