EASTERN CAPE WOMEN’S SPORTS SUMMIT
Empowering Women Through Sport
“Invest in Her Game, Transform Her Future”
Sport as a Pathway to
Empowerment & Employment
DATE: To be announced
VENUE: East London International Convention Centre (ELICC)
FOUNDER & VISIONARY:
Akhona Makalima, International Football Referee (SheRef)
KEY PARTNERS:
BOLD Global Alliance for Women, Girls & Sport (BOLD) with key Government, Academia, UN and NGO,
Civil Society and Private Sector Partners to be confirmed.
Sometimes we kick and scream because opportunities are not coming, and then when you are given that opportunity, you are not ready. So, when you get that opportunity, you need to be ready, grab it with both hands and run away with it.
WHY THIS
SUMMIT MATTERS
Sport is a powerful catalyst for empowerment, health, and economic opportunity—especially for women and girls. Yet, it remains underutilised and underfunded, with persistent barriers that limit participation and leadership.
Women and girls in sport continue to face systemic discrimination, unequal access to opportunities, and widespread violence—whether as athletes, coaches, officials, journalists, or fans. These challenges are even more severe for those navigating multiple, intersecting inequalities related to race, class, health status, and sexuality.
While global efforts to address gender-based violence and promote equity in sport are growing, serious gaps remain in data, investment, and implementation. This Summit calls for urgent, coordinated action to unlock the full power of sport as a tool for dignity, health, leadership, and justice—for all women and girls, in all their diversity.
VISION
A future where women and girls are not only participants but also leaders, innovators, and employers in the sports ecosystem and beyond, driving social change and economic prosperity.
OBJECTIVES
- Skills for Employability: Capacity building in coaching, sports science, entrepreneurship, and leadership
- Career Pathways: Access to internships, job placements, and educational opportunities
- Mentorship & Networking: Connect with national & global sports leaders and investors
- Advocacy: Engage media and policy platforms to promote women’s leadership in sport
- Economic Impact: Boost local job creation and sports tourism
WHY THE
EASTERN CAPE
- Home of Champions: Produces 28% of SA’s professional female footballers
- Underfunded Potential: Receives only 12% of women’s football development funding
- Progressive Policy: First to implement 30% gender quotas for sports boards
- Proven Hosting Capacity: ICC Women’s T20 matches reached 93% attendance—a national record
KEY THEMES &
CORE VALUES
- Inclusivity: Breaking societal stereotypes and harmful social norms about women in sports.
- Empowerment: Equipping women with tools to lead and innovate.
- Innovation: Exploring technology, sports science, and sustainable business models.
- Collaboration: Uniting government, corporates, NGOs, and athletes.
- Sustainability: Creating long-term opportunities for women and girls in underserved communities.
THE ECONOMIC CASE FOR
WOMEN IN SPORT
- Return on Investment: Women’s sports deliver 25% higher sponsorship ROI (Nielsen)
- Market Opportunity: Expected to reach $1.28 billion globally by 2033 (Deloitte)
- Leadership Pipeline: 91% of women executives credit sports with leadership development
- Social Impact: Every R1 invested in girls’ sport yields R7 in health/education outcomes
Sport has given me drive
and discipline…
You don’t build a legacy by
following paths…
While I deeply appreciate
the support I’ve received…
We are functioning with a
bare minimum…
PROGRAMME
WHO SHOULD
ATTEND
- Aspiring and Current Women and Girls in Sport: Athletes, coaches, officials, journalists, sports scientists
- Policy Makers & Government Leaders
- Corporate Sponsors & Investors
- UN, NGOs & Civil Society
- Educators & Academic Institutions
- Sports, Health, Youth, Gender and Disabilities Advocates
DOWNLOAD
Download the full concept notes and other resources.
JOIN THE
SUMMIT
Be part of this historic Summit—where sport becomes the gateway to equity, opportunity, and economic justice for women and girls in the Eastern Cape and beyond.
Join us in rewriting the narrative for
women in sports. Invest in her game — and help shape a future where
every girl can rise, lead, and win.
REGISTRATION
Join us at the Eastern Cape Women’s Empowerment Sports Summit 2025 and become part of a historic movement to transform the future of women and girls through sport.
DATE: To be announced
VENUE: East London International Convention Centre (ELICC)
HOW TO REGISTER:
Register directly on our website or email us with your name, organization, and contact details.
Registrations closing date TBA.
REGISTRATION FEES
CATEGORY
FEE (ZAR)
General Admission (Private Sector)
R1 500
Government & Public Sector Officials
R1 200
Civil Society / Non-Profits
R 800
Students & Youth (18–25 years old)
R 300
Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
R 300
Group Discount (5+ participants)
10% Off
SCHOLARSHIP
AVAILABLE
We are committed to inclusivity and empowering grassroots leadership.
A limited number of registration scholarships are available for:
- Full-time students (with valid student ID)
- Community-Based Organizations (especially those led by women or youth)
- Unemployed athletes, coaches, and volunteers active in women’s sport
To apply for a scholarship, send us an email:
- Your name and contact details
- A short motivation (max 200 words)
- Proof of eligibility (e.g. student ID, NGO registration, letter of support)
Limited spots available — early registration is encouraged!
BE A
SPONSOR
Support the Summit and align your brand with a bold vision for equality, equity and empowerment in sport. We offer various sponsorship tiers with high-impact visibility opportunities, including branding, media engagement, and exclusive networking.
For sponsorship packages and partnership opportunities, please contact us.
INVITED
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