The 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

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The programmes

Shortlisted for the Beyond Sport Global Award for Gender Equality 2019

Angola   Argentina   Australia   Bangladesh   Barbados   Belarus   Botswana   Brazil   Burundi   Cameroon   Canada   China   Czech Republic   Denmark   Egypt   Finland   Germany   Guatemala   Ivory Coast   Hong Kong   India   Iran   Ireland   Italy   Japan   Kenya   Kuwait   Laos   Latvia   Lithuania   N.Macedonia   Malawi   Mongolia   Nepal

368 graduates based in 62 countries

Netherlands   New Zealand   Nigeria   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

45 graduates from 23 countries financially supported to attend

“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)​

Do you want to attend a WSLA programme?

Unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the organising committee took the decision to cancel the 2020 and 2021 residential weeks. A decision on WSLA 2022 will be made from August 2021. 

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Please contact us to be added to our promotional mailing list.

We welcome interest from those wishing to host a WSLA-branded programme under a University of Chichester Licence Agreement. Please contact us for more information.

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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 or host a WSLA programme?

Licensing agreements have been signed with the following partners to host WSLA programmes:​

• New Zealand Olympic Committee

• Women and Sport Botswana

• University of Hertfordshire, UK

• Zimbabwe Olympic Committee

• South Africa Women and Sport Foundation

• Netball Scotland