“As the ocean has tides, we too have phases and stages. We have been conditioned to reject and fight the lows, but the highs wouldn’t exist without them. We can either resist the lows or practice acceptance towards them.” - Danni Unway

“I want to show that ability is not defined by your gender and change the narrative around what people think girls can or can't achieve. It is important to me to find ways to break down barriers so more girls can feel safe and participate in a sport they love, while also helping to build their confidence and resilience.” - Danielle Brown MBE

"You don’t have to be the fastest, strongest, or most skillful player, but if you find something you love and push through the tough times, you can achieve something special." - Rhian Cleverly

“Don't wait for anyone to invite you or pull out the chair for you. But once you have a seat, never forget to keep making the table bigger, and pull up chairs for other women.” - Arianna Criscione

“My pathway and journey in sport was not seen as traditional. I never saw people who looked like me in the field. My message is to educate and mentor the next generation of sports professionals to not only excel in their careers but also embrace the social responsibility that comes with their roles.” - Khatija Bahdur

“I want to leave behind a message of optimism - that by embracing technology we can build a more inclusive, sustainable, and engaging sports industry.” - Lucy Mills

“As Glennon Doyle says, ‘Find what breaks your heart. That will be your purpose.’ The fact that we hire young, healthy men and women as firefighters, and they leave the career decades later broken (at best), breaks my heart! I'm on a mission to make sure that every firefighter has the support they need to remain healthy and well throughout their career.” - Annette Zapp

“My hope is to change the narrative by showing that women belong—not just on the pitch, but in every part of this industry. I want to inspire women to claim their space unapologetically and create an environment where the next generation of girls doesn’t have to fight as hard to feel like they belong.” - Jess Reus

“Sports are more than just a competition—they’re a way of life, teaching valuable lessons and creating lasting connections. It’s about uplifting and empowering those around you to achieve greatness together.” - Dagmara Gerasimuk

“Dream impossible dreams. Life is not linear, it will take you to unexpected places. It won’t always be easy, and can't plan every step, but the unexpected paths are often the most valuable. Don't be attached to a fixed idea of who you are or where you are going; embrace change, pivot, rest and reset as you need.” - Zarina Bahdur

“Through my research, I want to develop new insights into both the challenges and solutions for making sport a more inclusive space. By working with practitioners and activists, I want to find effective ways to implement research findings and recommendations to real world sporting contexts.” - Lucy Piggott

“Celebrate diversity and champion positive change. The sports industry is vast, encompassing many different roles. Identify the area that aligns with your interests and skills. By blending passion, persistence, and a commitment to breaking barriers, you can make a lasting impact in the sports industry while inspiring others to follow in your footsteps.” - Sylvana Mestre Alexander

“To every little girl or differently abled person who loves sport and is ready to give themselves to it: please, go for it. If you believe you can be the best at something or have the talent, fight for it. Don’t let obstacles hold you back.” - Avani Nagar

“I went to see Lewes FC Women playing and was gobsmacked by the potential of the game to change the world. Here were women being strong, working in a team, taking up space, showing absolute focus on the ball, making decisions on the spot, and being total LEADERS....and all in a public place! What's more, the environment was beautiful, relaxed and safe. I realised that women's football was an antidote to sexism and decided to become a fan of Lewes FC there and then.” - Karen Dobres

“Storytelling opens the mind to worlds that are sometimes unseen or unacknowledged, and this has the power to initiate meaningful change.” - Swetha Subbiah

“Dr Anita White CBE crystallised my thinking about the importance of scholarship informing activism. With her, I co-founded the Anita White Foundation, and with our friends from Females Achieving Brilliance - Lucy Faulkner and Pauline Harrison - we established the Women’s Sport Leadership Academy and the Women in Sport High performance pathway to empower women leaders globally and help make the systemic changes needed for gender equality.” - Elizabeth Pike

“Being an African woman, I believe we face many unique obstacles. I want African girls to know and believe that they can achieve success even in fields where they don’t see others who look like them. They can step in and pave the way for many other girls to follow.” - Dorothy Okatch

"I hope to have made a meaningful impact on former athletes through the Athlete's Career program. Additionally, I aim to contribute to closing the gender gap in sports through SkeSkillz Global, by fostering cooperation with various sports organisations." - Guro Askheim Johnsen

“Motorcycling is often associated with rugged masculinity, but I hope to change that narrative and show that femininity has its place on two wheels too.” - Isha Parol

"As women in the sports industry, our innovation and power can drive meaningful change and make the industry better." - Sophie Jones