England head coach Mark Sampson becomes Women in Sport patron
Tuesday 8 March 2016 13:26, UK
England Lionesses head coach Mark Sampson will be Women in Sport’s first ever patron, the charity announced on International Women’s Day.
Women in Sport - dedicated to transforming sport for the benefit of every woman and girl in the UK - wanted to send out a strong statement that men are needed as agents for change in the fight for gender equality for women and girls across sport.
Currently in America overseeing England's progress in the inaugural SheBelieves Cup, Sampson hopes to use his position as patron to help the charity's mission to improve women and girls' lives through sport.
He said: "I have long been a supporter of Women in Sport and it's an honour to be named as a patron.
"It was incredible to receive such levels of support, exposure and recognition following our performance in Canada and it is vital to keep that momentum going across women's sport.
"Greater equality in sport is a cause men need to get behind as much as women do and I look forward to working more closely with the charity to further its mission."
Ruth Holdaway, chief executive of Women in Sport, said: "I'm delighted to have Mark on board as our first patron and believe he will do a fantastic job helping to champion the work we're doing to transform sport for the benefit of every woman and girl in the UK.
"Mark is an exemplary coach and leader who understands the value of sport for all women and girls, and we're delighted to celebrate International Women's Day with this fantastic piece of news."
