Women in Sport Aotearoa is committed to ensuring that women and girls have a powerful and respected voice.
In its Strategic Plan, Women in Sport Aotearoa has pledged to be the voice that:
- Leads positive conversations around gender equity in sport and recreation
- Shares research and provides insight/commentary on results
- Challenges poor behaviours and holds stakeholders to account
- Showcases and celebrates the success of female leaders in sport and recreation
- Develops new and maximises all other available communication platforms to amplify message
- Advocates with stakeholders, sector and media to increase quality and quantity of female sport coverage
- Empowers ambassadors to carry messages to a wide audience
Here are some examples of the advocacy work undertaken by Women in Sport Aotearoa:
Advocacy & News
Nicky van den Bos, Acting CEO – “Global campaign to correct gender biases in internet searches for women in sport to launch at Football Ferns game” – Newshub (television news), 20 January 2023.
Nicky van den Bos, Acting CEO – “Jay-Jay and Flynny Correct the Internet”, More FM, 24 January 2023.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Playing to Win”, Kia Ora Magazine, July 2022.
“Strong Māori influence critical for new women’s basketball league, Tauihi”, Stuff, 25 June 2022.
“New Zealand Rugby and EightyOneX ask Aotearoa to get behind the Black Ferns”, Stop Press, 16 June 2022.
“Eden Park’s new changing rooms set ‘benchmark’ for women in sport”, Stuff, 8 June 2022.
“More eyes on women’s sport, more girls See the Possible”, Lockerroom, 1 April 2022.
“New equal-pay women’s basketball league unveiled, hailed as ‘game-changer, Stuff, 30 March 2022.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “A milestone day for women in sport in Aotearoa”, Lockerroom, 8 March 2022
Suite of activities planned in lead-up to women’s Rugby World Cup matches, NZ Herald, 15 February 2022.
“Women dominate gymnastics steering committee to address abuse issues in the sport”, Stuff, 17 December 2021
“Chance for Pasifika women to return to their roots”, Lockerroom, 13 December 2021
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Women in Sport on Black Fern’s mental health struggle”, Radio New Zealand, 8 December 2021
IOC backs NZ’s women’s sport movement with interest in global conference, Stuff, 24 November 2021.
New infographics provide insights from women coaches, Massey University, 13 October 2021.
Women shaping their world for the better, Otago Daily Times, 18 September 2021.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Women win majority of NZ’s record Olympic haul“, 1 News, 7 August 2021.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Tokyo Olympics: NZ women dominant on the field“, Radio New Zealand, 6 August 2021.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Sporting codes unite ahead of landmark world cups“, Fuseworks, 8 March 2021.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “$950k boost for Women in Sport Aotearoa on International Women’s Day“, Stuff, 8 March 2021.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Grant Robertson announces $950,000 funding boost for NZ women’s sport“, Newshub, 8 March 2021.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Women’s sport set to ride a tidal wave of success with three World Cups in three years“, Newshub, 8 March 2021.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “NZ Rugby and Sport NZ addressing ‘complex issue’ of transgender inclusion in women’s sport“, Stuff, 28 November 2020.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Step closer to gender equality in toilets as Government invests $2m in cricket facilities upgrades“, Stuff, 19 November 2020.
Rachel Froggatt CEO – “Sport New Zealand set to appoint first female chief executive“, Stuff, 4 November 2020.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Why NZ is now the outlier in world women’s sport“, LockerRoom, 9 July 2020.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Women’s World Cup all about the legacy, says NZF chief“, Reuters, 26 June 2020.
Julie Paterson, Co-Chair – “Hosting women’s world cups in three codes will be huge for female sport participation“, TVNZ, 26 June 2020.
Julie Paterson, Co-Chair – “New Zealand hosting trio of women’s world cups a coup for female sports“, TVNZ, 26 June 2020.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Women’s World Cup All About the Legacy, Says NZF Chief“, New York Times, 25 June 2020.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Rugby: Raelene Castle victim of industry double standards, says Women in Sport Aotearoa CEO“, Newshub, 24 April 2020.
Louisa Wall, Board Member – “The year of a Ferns fairytale, football and fair pay” – Radio NZ “Fairplay” Podcast and LockerRoom, 20 December 2019.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Blind swimmer Mary Fisher faces new challenges out of the pool” – Stuff, 7 October 2019.
Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair – “Promoting women’s sport on the menu at breakfast of champions” – Stuff, 8 August 2019.
Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair, and Rachel Froggatt, CEO – Busting the myth: No one watches women’s sport – first published on LockerRoom 15 August 2019, syndicated on Radio NZ and Stuff.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – Why we’re challenging the system for equality in sport – first published on LockerRoom 20 May 2019, syndicated on Stuff.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – Support Women’s Sport’ name for Basin Reserve? – Radio New Zealand and LockerRoom 17 July 2019.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – Visit to the UN Commission on the Status of Women / Helen Clark as Patron – Radio NZ Fair Play, 29 March 2019 (16″).
“Helen Clark raising her voice for women in sport”, LockerRoom” – 8 March 2019.
“Helen Clark becomes patron of International Working Group on women in sport” – Stuff, 8 March 2019.
“Former Prime Minister Helen Clark raising her voice for women in sport” – Stuff, 8 March 2019.
COVID-19 Response & Recovery
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – First tranche of COVID-19 sport relief funding released by NZ govt, Stabroek News, 8 July 2020.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – First tranche of COVID-19 sport relief funding released by New Zealand government, Reuters, 7 July 2020.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – Government details $80m sport recovery, Stuff, 7 July 2020.
Rachel Froggatt, IWG Secretary General – ‘A generation of female athletes could be left by the wayside‘, Al Jazeera International, 30 May 2020.
Jeff Latch, Head of Spark Sport – ‘Women’s sports rely on women viewers‘, Radio New Zealand, 29 May 2020. Syndicated on Fiji Times.
Jeff Latch, Head of Spark Sport – ‘NZ sports among those ‘woefully unprepared’ for pandemic, TV official says‘, Reuters, 29 May 2020. Syndicated on ESPN Australia and CNA.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO, WISPA – ‘Women’s Sport Faces Generational Loss From COVID-19 Cuts: New Zealand Agency‘, Reuters, 28 May 2020. Syndicated on New York Times, Stabroek Times, Radio New Zealand.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO, WISPA – ‘Why there’s still hope for women’s sport‘, LockerRoom, 15 May 2020, syndicated on Stuff.
Katie Sadleir, GM Women’s Rugby, World Rugby – ‘Golden year awaits women’s rugby in 2021‘, LockerRoom, 2 May 2020.
Martin Snedden, Board Member, NZ Cricket -‘How the Black Caps home summer might look and why NZ Cricket is depending on it‘, Stuff, 2 May 2020.
Katie Sadleir, GM Women’s Rugby, World Rugby – ‘2021 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand won’t be shifted‘, Radio New Zealand, 1 May 2020.
Sarai Bareman, Chief Women’s Football Officer, FIFA – ‘Women’s football can flourish out of Covid-19‘, LockerRoom, 24 April 2020.
Sarai Bareman, Chief Women’s Football Officer, FIFA – ‘Coronavirus: Women’s sport on back-burner as money reigns supreme‘, Stuff, 24 April 2020.
Sarai Bareman, Chief Women’s Football Officer, FIFA – ‘Elite women’s football in danger of being overlooked after Covid-19‘, Radio NZ, 24 April 2020.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO, WISPA – “Coronavirus: New Zealand Rugby unlikely to meet board diversity quota, risking funding“, Stuff, 23 April 2020
Martin Snedden, Board Member, NZ Cricket – ‘New Zealand sport has good opportunity post Covid-19 – Martin Snedden‘, Radio NZ, 20 April 2020.
Martin Snedden, Board Member, NZ Cricket -‘Clubs likely lose out on millions — Snedden‘, Otago Daily Times, 18 April 2020.
Martin Snedden, Board Member, NZ Cricket -‘Government rules out competitive sport at Level 3, as golfers wait for clarity‘, Stuff, 17 April 2020.
Kereyn Smith, Chief Executive, NZ Olympic Committee – ‘Concerns women’s sport could bear brunt of financial cutbacks‘, Radio NZ, 9 April 2020.
Visit our “Leadership from Lockdown” page for more information on this series of interviews.
Change Inspires Change
Hon Grant Robertson, Deputy Prime Minister – “$950k funding boost for World Conference on Women and Sport“, NZ Government, 8 March 2021.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “NZ builds world-first hub for women’s sport” – LockerRoom, 4 September 2020.
Female Representation in Sport Leadership
Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair: “Progress toward sports board equality still entangled in Old Boys’ network” – Stuff, 8 March 2020.
Captains Lunch launch: “Raelene Castle: the brave kiwi leader of Rugby Australia stays calm under fire” – Stuff, 16 February 2020.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Beatrice Faumuinā first Pasifika woman appointed to Sport NZ board” – Stuff, 16 January 2020.
Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair – “Male-dominated sports organisations getting desperate for women, as time runs out” – Stuff, 3 July 2019.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – The strategic case for gender equity on sports boards – first published on LockerRoom 19 June 2019, syndicated on Stuff.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Rugby: ‘Less than zero’ chance of female being appointed NZ Rugby CEO” – Newshub, 9 December 2018.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “White Ferns, Leadership in Sport and Youth Olympics” – WISP Sports, 29 September 2018.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Government chips in $10m to shake up women’s sport” – Newshub, 11 October 2018.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “If you’re not sitting at the table, you are on the menu” – Radio NZ Fair Play, 1 October 2018.
Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair – “Lack of women in coaching detrimental to sport, says professor” – Stuff, 6 June 2018.
Women in Coaching
Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair: “Sports system failing top women coaches” – Radio NZ, 5 March 2020.
Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair: “Basketball: Breakers’ addition one of few women at NZ’s top level” – Radio NZ, 4 March 2020.
Pay Equity & Prizemoney in Women’s Sport
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “$950k investment announced into increasing gender equity capability in sport sector“, Fuseworks, 8 March 2021
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “How Kiwi female athletes pay the bills after retirement” – Stuff, 31 August 2019.
Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair – “Netball World Cup prompts call to invest in sports pay equity” – Stuff, 22 July 2019.
Julie Paterson, Co-Chair – “Netball World Cup: Silver Ferns are sadly undervalued and underpaid” – Stuff, 22 July 2019.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – No prize money for Silver Ferns despite epic win – Radio NZ Checkpoint, 22 July 2019.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – Fans disappointed as world champion Silver Ferns fly home in economy class – Stuff, 23 July 2019.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – White Ferns/Women’s Master Agreement: Response – 13 August 2019.
Safety & Sexism in Sport
Raelene Castle ONZM – “Raelene Castle tells of death threats over Israel Folau ‘issue” – Stuff, 4 September 2020.
Raelene Castle ONZM – “I had death threats over Folau case, says ex-Rugby Australia chief Castle” – MSN Sport, 5 September 2020.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Sport NZ tells gymnastics community it can trust complaints process” – Stuff, 4 August 2020
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Sport NZ moves to protect vulnerable athletes from Nassar-like predators” – Stuff, 5 July 2020.
Louisa Wall, Director & Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair – “How to prevent sexual violence through and in sport” – Radio NZ Fair Play, 27 February 2019.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “It’s time to say ‘non’ to abuse and sexism in sport” – LockerRoom, 6 December 2018.
Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair – “It’s time we all stopped ignoring sexism – but how?” – TVNZ Seven Sharp, 7 September 2017.
Female Participation in Sport
Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair – “Rethink of sport in education needed to tackle drop in female participation” – Stuff, 15 October 2019.
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Women’s sports boss looks to halt drift” – Radio New Zealand, 12 August 2018.
Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair – “College Sport says it won’t budge over girl playing in boys’ team” – Stuff, 26 August 2018.
Media Coverage of Women’s Sport
In NZ and around the world, women are still more likely to present and report the news than appear in it, The Conversation, 15 July 2021
Rachel Froggatt, CEO – “Latest data: men’s rugby gets more news coverage than every women’s sport combined” – Stuff, 8 March 2021.
Sarah Leberman, Co-Chair – “It’s a long road to gender equality in New Zealand sport” – Stuff, 24 September 2017.
Articles and stories that we have pitched
Kiwi physio helped pave the way for women in the NBA, Lockerroom, 24 September 2021
Arizona’s realising her dream for wāhine in sport, Lockeroom, 17 September 2021
