Main content

Woman's Hour Power List 2023: Women in Sport

Who are the 30 most outstanding women in sport in the UK? We need your help and your suggestions. They can be athletes, coaches, policy-makers or grassroots volunteers - in fact any woman making a significant contribution to sport at any level.

Last year was a game-changer for the visibility and perception of women in sport in this country and we want to showcase inspirational women – both on and off the field – who are spearheading and building on this momentum to elevate women’s sport.

They will fall into one of five categories which reflect the many ways in which women are impacting sport.

The five categories are:

Sportswomen

For athletes at the top of their game. Your chosen sportswoman may be on track to becoming one of the most celebrated in a generation or using her platform to change the game for the women and girls coming up behind her. We’ll remember her name for years to come.

Leaders

From coaches and managers at the peak of their powers, to women working in politics, on boards or in business, when these women speak, everybody listens. From sporting glory to influencing policy, they inspire people and get results.

Change-makers

For those women whose commitment to change will leave a lasting legacy. From campaigning for equal pay or maternity rights for professional athletes, to being the first female coach, referee or board member in a male dominated environment - these women will be challenging the status quo or occupying spaces previously seen as male only.

Amplifiers

For the women working to elevate the status of women’s sport in our society. They might be broadcasters whose passion and professionalism helps to shift perceptions, sports agents pushing for greater representation for their athletes, or media executives negotiating rights deals to give women’s sport greater prominence on our TV and radios.

Grassroots

Our grassroots category is for outstanding women who are bringing about real change in their communities. This is your chance to recognise the coach who set up a football team so your daughter can play, the volunteer who leads a walking group to improve people’s mental health, or the chair of your local sports club working tirelessly to promote inclusion.

The Criteria

The Woman’s Hour Power List 2023: Women in Sport is open to all women who:

  • Are from the UK, although they can be working elsewhere in the world
  • Are making a significant positive contribution to sport – elite, grassroots or anywhere in between
  • Have brought about real change or progress – whether locally, nationally or globally
  • Fit into at least one of the five categories

Things you need to know

  • The suggestion form closes on Wednesday 8th February at midnight.
  • These are suggestions and don’t necessarily mean they will make the final list.
  • We encourage you to submit only one suggestion.
  • The final list will be decided by an expert panel where suggestions from the public and the panel will be considered.
  • We might contact you to hear more or mention your name on air when discussing some suggestions.

Read the full Woman's Hour Power List 2023: Women in Sport Privacy Notice here

Listen to the Woman's Hour Power List launch programme on ±«Óãtv Sounds - it's the episode from 26 January 2023. Join the conversation on and @bbcwomanshour.