Pictured from the left is Dr Verity Postlethwaite, radio presenter Jeanette Kwakye, Dr Emma O'Donnell, presenter Naga Munchetty and Professor Jo Maher

Pictured from the left is Dr Verity Postlethwaite, radio presenter Jeanette Kwakye, Dr Emma O'Donnell, presenter Naga Munchetty, and Professor Jo Maher

Inspiring women from the world of sport visit Loughborough University for BBC Names Will Be Made event

Inspiring women from across the world of sport took part in a BBC 5 Live broadcast from the Loughborough campus yesterday (Monday 23 June) as part of its Names Will Be Made campaign.

The BBC campaign is a celebration of women’s sport, shining a spotlight on female athletes and placing women’s sporting achievements at the heart of its coverage.

The Loughborough event brought together more than 30 elite athletes, rising stars, coaches, sports leaders and academic experts for an inspiring exploration into the world of women’s sport.

Hosted by Naga Munchetty and former British sprinting champion – and Loughborough alumna – Jeanette Kwakye, the special broadcast explored a wide-range of issues including how far women’s sport has progressed, health research and innovation, the need for more bespoke female sporting apparel, and online abuse.

Loughborough academics Dr Emma O’Donnell and Dr Verity Postlethwaite, who are both part of the University’s Women in Sport Research and Innovation Hub, joined the event to share their knowledge and insight, along with Professor Jo Maher, Loughborough’s Pro-Vice Chancellor for Sport.

Other guests included:

  • Dame Katherine Grainger, Olympic rowing legend and new chair of the British Olympic Association, whose leadership has transformed British elite sport.
  • Heather Knight OBE, former England cricket captain and a trailblazer on and off the pitch.
  • Sammi Kinghorn MBE – Paralympic gold medallist and record-breaking wheelchair racer with a remarkable story of resilience.
  • Sally Gunnell OBE – Olympic champion and the only female British athlete to hold Olympic, World, European, and Commonwealth titles simultaneously.
  • Maggie Alphonsi MBE – World Cup-winning rugby star, commentator, and powerful voice for equality in sport.
  • Alice Dearing – Loughborough alumna and history-making Team GB marathon swimmer who has championed diversity in her sport.
  • Rebecca Welch - former professional football referee and first female to referee a Premier League match.

“It was brilliant to welcome the BBC Radio 5 Live team to campus and to bring together so many incredible women from across sport,” said Professor Maher. “To hear from so many of the speakers about their strong connections to Loughborough – as alumni, athletes, partners or research collaborators – was truly inspiring and together we can continue to improve and showcase women’s sport.” 

You can listen again to the 5 live broadcast on BBC Sounds:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002dxcq

 

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