EmpowerHER Festival 2026 has now finished. Head to the This Girl Can Birmingham page for latest activity and support.
Despite recent progress, women remain underrepresented as coaches and in leadership roles within the sport and physical activity sector. Coaches of women and girls often face unique challenges around inclusivity, retention, and wellbeing.
That’s why This Girl Can, Sport Birmingham, and The Active Wellbeing Society is hosting EmpowerHER. EmpowerHER is a multi-location, hybrid festival, with a focus on supporting leaders, coaches, and volunteers to create positive experiences for women and girls engaging in sport and activity.
19th – 26th April
No activities planned for this date – please check back for updates.
Engage your community |
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 14:00-15:00 – OnlineThis workshop explores the principles and benefits of community engagement, helping organisations build stronger connections with the people they serve. Through discussion and reflection, attendees will map out their community landscape, explore their organisation’s role within it, and devise action plans to foster meaningful interactions that support both their goals and the wider community’s needs. All genders welcome |
Sexual Harassment in Sport |
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 11:00-12:30 – 15 James Rd, Tyseley, Birmingham, B11 2BAOur training sessions aim to empower those working in sports to create a culture where sexual harassment is challenged, rather than normalised. The session will include content such as:
Women only |
Mental Health First Aid – Two-day course |
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  Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd April |
Overcoming taboos and barriers for Women and Girls in Sport |
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 10:00-11:15 – OnlineA webinar on Pelvic Health and Pelvic Floor problems within sport, that can be present in women and girls. Including; incontinence, prolapse, pelvic pain. All genders welcome |
Creating a marketing strategy |
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10:00-11:00 – OnlineThis workshop is designed to empower you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively promote and grow your club or organisation. Throughout the session, you’ll learn how to set up and optimise social media profiles, understand their role in marketing, and analyse their impact to refine future strategies. Expect interactive discussions on strategy advantages and challenges, as well as hands-on planning exercises to ensure you leave with a clear direction for achieving your club’s goals. All genders welcome |
Physical Activity Ideas for Early Years |
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 13:30-15:00 – Nelson Mandela Room, Ladywood, B16 8URA workshop to give people ideas on how to keep Early Years children active and engaged with minimal equipment and maximum fun. All genders welcome |
Menopause Matters – Networking Dinner |
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 19:00-21:00 – Smoke and Ash Pizza, Greenfield Crescent, B15 3AUNetworking dinner to bring together interested parties from across the Birmingham sporting landscape. Aims will be to connect, share ideas, and commit to working together to design and deliver an intervention that supports women going through menopause to get and stay active. All genders welcome |
Women’s Sport Collective Networking Morning |
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 10:00-12:00 – William McGregor Room, Trinity Stand, Villa Park Stadium, B6 6HEThe Women’s Sport Collective is an inclusive, collaborative community for all women working in – or wanting to work in – sport. The Collective unites women at every stage of their careers, driving change and inspiring inclusive leadership in sport. Our mission is simple: to create a more diverse, inclusive and equitable sports sector, where women at every stage of their careers are supported, celebrated and empowered. All genders welcome |
Unlocking Careers in Community Sport: Opportunities for Young People & Employers |
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 12:00-13:30 – OnlineThis 90-minute webinar will introduce Coach Core Foundation and explore careers in coaching and community sport, with a focus on apprenticeships as a route into the sector that combine meaningful work experience with a recognised qualification. The session is designed for both organisations interested in becoming apprenticeship employers, and young people, particularly young women – who would like to learn more about starting a career in the sector. The most powerful part of the session will be hearing directly from current and former female apprentices, who will share their personal journeys, challenges and successes in the sector. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of how to get involved, whether that’s employing an apprentice or starting their own career in coaching and community sport. All genders welcome |
Engaging Women and Girls at All Life Stages |
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 14:30-15:30 – OnlineEngland Netball are delighted to host this webinar for all those dedicated to improving female health and physical activity. Experts will share insights into female health and well-being across the life course, health inequalities and the importance of tailoring approaches to address female inactivity, alongside practical examples of applying in place. All genders welcome |
Taking Violence Reduction to Clubs |
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 17:30-19:00 – Pending (Birmingham city location)There are a lot of partners and organisations passionate about making sports safer, utilising sports as an avenue to improve youth pathways, and identify at risk young people. There is a huge opportunity to bring this work together, work in collaboration, and present a comprehensive and complementary offer to sports clubs and groups on the ground. We would love to invite you to a roundtable to share your offer, identify spaces of collaboration, and consider how we can present the holistic support offer to clubs. Drinks and light snacks provided. All genders welcome |
Become a Run Leader – Expression of Interest |
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 18:30-19:30 – OnlineAn exciting opportunity for anyone within the community interested in becoming a Run Leader. England Athletics are fully funding a course to train, upskill and support 5 new community run groups. Located within Birmingham, these groups will create their own following and work with England Athletics and Canal and River Trust to map out runs within your community to ensure safety and engagement of local females. This Webinar is an Expression of interest if you wish to find out more. All genders welcome |
EmpowerHER Netball Coach Lab session |
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18:30-20:00 – University of Birmingham Sport & Fitness Centre, Bristol Rd, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TTFor those already in coaching to build confidence, ask questions and up their coaching game. Women only |
EmpowerHER Celebration & Networking Lunch |
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 10:00-13:00 – Edgbaston Priory Club, Priory Rd, Birmingham, B5 7UGTo celebrate the success of the EmpowerHER Festival and to share our thanks with the brilliant providers, partners, and community organisations who made it possible — we’re hosting a special gathering. This will be a relaxed space where we can come together, reconnect, share stories, and reflect on the impact we’ve created. It’s also a chance to strengthen relationships, spark new ideas, and continue building a supportive movement for women and girls across our city. If you’d like more information about this event, please contact us. All genders welcome |
Leading Funetics Course – 14 years+ |
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 17:00-21:00 – Archbishop Ilsley Catholic School (Sports Hall), Birmingham, B27 7XYCreated by funetics and England Athletics to help young people (14 years+) and adults support athletics coaches in the delivery of fun and inclusive athletics for children in current or new junior sections in clubs or in the local community. The funetics Leaders Certificate is also an opportunity for anyone to marry their interest in athletics with an interest or goal in developing their general leadership skills. The workshop includes information on the roles and responsibilities of a leader, how to lead a fun and inclusive funetics session, and further information on how to develop your leadership skills. Full of ‘top tips’ for effective delivery, the course also explores the key principles of running, jumping and throwing whilst providing technical information which supports these principles. Leading funetics is ideal for junior athletes, sports leaders, students, parents, volunteers and sports Apprentices. Please note – we hope that all participants will be able to give back voluntary hours (minimum 10) to one of our funetics licensed organisations – we have a number of licensed community hubs running in Birmingham and can assist in linking you with them. Women only |
Developing an inclusive environment |
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09:00-10:00 – OnlineThis workshop explores how clubs and organisations can foster a truly inclusive environment that engages and retains a diverse range of participants and volunteers. Learners will explore what inclusion looks and feels like in their organisation, identify barriers to belonging, and explore solutions for greater accessibility. Learners will leave with practical strategies and an action plan to enhance inclusivity and ensure their club or organisation is welcoming to all. All genders welcome |
Paddlesport Session |
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09:00-10:00 – Small Heath Highway, Birmingham, B10 0DQA come and try session on Birmingham’s waterways, using stable sit-on-top kayaks. We will guide you through the process of beginning to kayak and use Birmingham’s waterways in a safe manner. If you’ve ever been put off kayaking by the thought of falling in, we’ll show you how to learn kayaking without doing so. Our sessions are about enjoying our waterways, staying safely on the kayak. Have a chat about becoming a paddle leader! Women only |
England Netball Level 1 – Virtual |
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09:00-11:30 – OnlineStart your coaching journey with our EN Level 1 Award in Coaching Netball course, providing you with an introduction to coaching the game and working with players of all ages and abilities. Following the completion of the course, you will be able to assist more qualified coaches (under direct supervision) in delivering various aspects of coaching sessions. All genders welcome |
Crescent Archers Taster Event |
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 14:00-15:00 – Bordesley Green, Birmingham, B9 5ARCrescent Archers are putting on a taster event for any female that would like to learn more about archery and other leadership pathways.
First archery club to offer female only sessions in the UK Women only |
No activities planned for this date – please check back for updates.
