Women's Sport Leadership Academy
The Women's Sport Leadership Academy
WSLA provides unique development opportunities for women leaders from around the world to step up, take the lead and make an impact
WSLA comprises a residential programme held annually at the University of Chichester since 2014, facilitator training and support, graduate support, networking and mentoring, research, and programmes delivered under license around the world
Shortlisted for the Beyond Sport Global Award for Gender Equality 2019
Angola Argentina Australia Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Bhutan Botswana Brazil Bulgaria Burundi Cameroon Canada China Czech Republic Denmark Egypt Finland Germany Ghana Greece Guatemala Hong Kong India Iran Ireland Israel Italy Ivory Coast Japan Kenya Kuwait Laos Latvia Lithuania
421 graduates based in 69 countries
N.Macedonia Malawi Mongolia Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nigeria Oman Palestine Papua New Guinea Philippines Portugal Russia Samoa Serbia Slovakia South Africa Spain St Lucia Sweden Switzerland Tanzania Thailand Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia UAE Uganda UK USA Uzbekistan Vanuatu Zambia Zimbabwe
51 graduates from 24 countries financially supported by WSLA to attend
Programme delivery
We provide a facilitative rather than directed, instruction-based method of learning allowing participants to focus on self-sustained learning
“When I was coming here, I felt my leadership skills needed to be sharpened. I have changed because I have learnt that we should lead by inspiring instead of leading by imposing. I believe that as a woman leader I have a lot of potential but the first step is building confidence. Working in groups allowed me more confidence to share my experiences and easily learn from others. That was a brilliant way of facilitation. I am excited for the future and highly recommend the programme to others. WSLA is inspirational.”
Nancy (Vijana Amani Pamoja, Kenya)
“WSLA is a must for any women within or aspiring to a senior position in sport leadership. It is arguably the best training and education programme I have ever experienced and I would highly recommend the Academy. WSLA has enabled me to grow both professionally and personally”
Stacey (Golf Foundation, UK)
““I have noticed a significant positive contribution in the workplace since Grace came back from WSLA training. She has passion for self-development and she is applying it by coaching and mentoring staff for leadership. We are grateful to WSLA for capacitating Grace with skills which are key not only in the Ministry but in Botswana and globally”
Jacob Momene (Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Botswana)
Over 165 organisations have supported their leaders to attend WSLA. Some of those to have regularly supported employees to attend include:
“WSLA gave me lots of different opportunities to play various roles and it’s taking me out of my comfort zone but in a safe environment. I’m working on facilitating, bringing out the coach in me, learning how to ask insightful questions and how to support others around me”
Hannah (England & Wales Cricket Board)
"WSLA is a cultural melting pot, which provides a space for women in sport from across the world to develop their leadership skills and competencies, share their experiences and learn from each other. As such, they bring a depth of insight and experience, which makes for a stimulating environment.”
Tikwiza (Commonwealth Secretariat)
"I now regard myself as a phenomenal woman and am working with my team so they can also believe more in themselves as phenomenal women. I am planning to organise mini workshops borrowing from various sections of the WSLA programme. Thank you, AWF, for providing this platform. The seed planted will surely GROW."
Dorcas (Moving The Goalposts, Kenya)
We are actively seeking financial and resource support for the sustainability of WSLA. If you would like to speak to us about this, we look forward to hearing from you about such opportunities.
Do you want to support a WSLA programme?
Licensing agreements with the following partners have enabled
WSLA programmes to be completed:
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New Zealand Olympic Committee
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Women and Sport Botswana
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University of Hertfordshire, UK
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Zimbabwe Olympic Committee
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South Africa Women and Sport Foundation
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Netball Scotland