As International Women's Day 2025 approaches, we are all encouraged to take time out to celebrate the remarkable achievements of women. For Let’s Move Lincolnshire and Active Lincolnshire, it offers the perfect opportunity to focus on those who are breaking barriers and leading transformative change in sport and physical activity; including some of the stars of the Lincolnshire Sport and Physical Activity Awards.

This year’s theme, ‘Accelerate Action,’ calls for urgent progress towards gender equality across all sectors - including sport. The recently released ‘Coaching in the UK 2024’ report from UK Coaching, highlights an ongoing challenge in gender representation within sport with female coaches only making up 38% of the workforce. Previous UK Coaching research has also revealed that 78% of women believe more visible female role models in coaching would support their career progression. This underscores the importance of shining a light on the inspiring female leaders already making an impact and advocating for greater inclusion at all levels across Lincolnshire.

One such trailblazer is Lindsay Linder, a finalist for the Active Lincolnshire Sport and Physical Activity Awards and owner of Connected Links. Lindsay has dedicated herself to making swimming accessible for children, neurodiverse individuals, and people with disabilities, ensuring that everyone, regardless of ability or background, can experience the joy of being in the water through teaching collaborations with Magna Vitae and Lincs Inspire.

"Swimming has always been my safe space,” she said. “After a car accident and subsequent health challenges, I wasn't sure if I'd ever be able to return to the water. But I turned my passion into my profession - helping others build confidence in the water, just as I once did."

By creating an inclusive and welcoming environment, Lindsay is actively reshaping the future of swimming education and proving that representation and resilience go hand in hand.

Looking at a traditionally male-dominated sport, in this case angling, and it is Lincolnshire’s Julie Mole that is working to breathe new life into the Lincoln and District Angling Association (LDAA) through her leadership and advocacy. As the first female chairperson of the LDAA - and now serving as Secretary - Julie has been instrumental in modernising the organisation and creating an inclusive culture for anglers of all backgrounds.

"We now have two women on the committee, myself and the treasurer - that’s never been done before in the history of the LDAA,” said Julie. “Across the sport, I’m seeing more women getting involved, and the emerging female network in angling is incredible. The support, insight, and encouragement we share is game-changing.”

Despite personal health challenges, Julie’s passion for volunteering and commitment to growing female participation in angling is a testament to the power of representation in leadership.

Stories like Lindsay’s and Julie’s demonstrate why it’s crucial to highlight women in leadership roles within Lincolnshire's sports sector. Increased visibility fosters inspiration, creating pathways for the next generation of female leaders in sport. With female representation in sports governance declining, celebrating and supporting these role models is more important than ever.

This International Women’s Day, let’s not just recognise female leadership in sport - let’s commit to accelerating action for lasting change.