Secretary General Lisa O’Keefe took the opportunity to update The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh on the work of the IWG at an event hosted by IWG UK’s host organisation, Sport and Recreation Alliance, as part of their International Women’s Day Celebrations.
As the President of the Sport and Recreation Alliance, The Duke of Edinburgh attended the 2024 Sport and Recreation Alliance Community Sport and Recreation Awards with the Duchess, held at Headingley Stadium, Leeds, on Friday 8th March.
They began the day by meeting female pioneers of rugby league – past, present and future – to learn more about the positive impact and role of rugby league and, more broadly, grassroots sport and recreation in creating better opportunities for girls and women around the country.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh observe the Leeds Rhinos Foundation during a training session alongside England Rugby League Star Amy Hardcastle and IWG Secretary General Lisa O’Keefe. Photo Credit: SWPix
Lisa joined Amy Hardcastle, Leeds Rhinos and England Rugby League star, pitch-side to greet Their Royal Highnesses after they had observed young female players from the local area training alongside England and Leeds Rhinos players. Following this activity, Lisa attended the Community Sport and Recreation awards ceremony where she was able to discuss the IWG with The Duke and Duchess over lunch.
Lisa O’Keefe said: “It was an honour to be able to update Their Royal Highnesses on the progress we are making against our strategy, and to discuss the important role our network plays in advancing gender equality and equity in sport.
“Both The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh are advocates for women in sport and support a number of our country’s national teams and sports bodies as Patrons, so I enjoyed the rich discussion we had about the IWG and I hope we can engage their support during the remainder of the Secretariat.
“On behalf of the IWG, I’d like to thank Lisa Wainwright MBE and her team at the Sport and Recreation Alliance for setting up this invaluable opportunity for the IWG, and a huge congratulations on the staging of the successful Community Sport and Recreation Awards. Thank you also to Leeds Rhinos and the Rugby Football League (RFL) for being terrific hosts and demonstrating the importance of sport within communities.”
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