Unlocking The Future

The original goal behind Unlocked, explained Women’s Sports Trust CEO and co- founder Tammy Parlour, was just as Vanessa described – to help athletes find their voice, and the confidence to use it. “We felt that this was just a moment in time where the profile and platform for female athletes was increasing, and we wanted to help sportswomen take advantage of that, to really create significant change, whether that’s by increasing their own profile, by moving into leadership positions, by influencing sports policy, participation initiates… whatever it is that they feel passionate about.”

Once the successful applicants had been selected in 2020, the programme kicked off with a big event – and a fair few nerves. Vanessa Wallace remembered vividly how she felt: “We had this phenomenal first launch day at the BBC where I felt like a total fangirl. The whole day, I’m surrounded by these incredible athletes. And because I’m a person full of imposter syndrome, I was thinking I’m really not sure why I’m here. Well, it was like a whole day of affirming your fabulousness. That’s the best way I can describe it. And that is what the whole programme has been like.”

Vanessa Wallace, meanwhile, was matched with Sport England CEO Tim Hollingsworth. ““I have this thing I call ‘Like likes like’ – to see others doing things that you didn’t know you could do as well, it gets you thinking. I’ve done things I never would have done before. I’m now a Trustee of Sporting Equals, I’ve developed a programme that I just delivered at my uni to high performance students to support them. I understand myself a lot more – and definitely, definitely have a lot more confidence.” She mentions how Hollingsworth encouraged her to believe she could not only be a trustee, but that they would be lucky to have her – something she would never have thought before speaking to him. In fact, Vanessa is not the only athlete to have stepped into a leadership role – several other Unlocked alumni have also joined boards. “To have athletes still competing, joining boards… for me it’s changed the landscape of leadership already” said Laura Weston of the Women’s Sport Trust.

That excitement is also reflected in the sheer breadth of talent showcased in this year’s Unlocked intake. There’s Shaunagh Brown, who represented England at the Commonwealth Games in the hammer throw, moved to rugby, and debuted internationally just two years later. Or Lauren Rowles MBE, Paralympic gold medal rower, who wants to use her voice to break down stereotypes around elite athletes and destigmatise mental health issues in sport. There’s Sarah Evans who’s in training for the GB hockey team at the Tokyo Olympics. England netball player and Commonwealth Games gold medal winner, Kadeen Corbin, is keen to showcase opportunities for BAME communities in netball, and Alice Masterman, who combines sailing for the British team with coaching and trying to attract and retain more women in the sport.

Laura talked about speaking to some of these athletes after the shoot for Glorious: “You know, they’re often told to look so solemn or even angry at the camera, as if they need to be taken seriously. But the reality is, women’s sport is really joyful. We’re talking about young women who are having the time of their lives, doing their dream job. And it’s so wonderful to be able to portray the fun side of it.”

Mhairi is actually a brilliant example of someone who has a clear voice, and passionate interests, which the Unlocked programme can only help amplify. Earlier this year she, along with two other athletes, spearheaded a successful campaign seeking lifetime bans for coaches found guilty of misconduct, harassment and abuse. She’s also launching an advocacy nonprofit for women in sport to tackle policy changes, as well as working with a company that has developed menstrual cups specifically for athletes. She’s impressive enough already, so if Unlocked has the same effect on her as the others, the world of sport had better watch out. “I’ve already reached out to a couple of women on the programme” she said, “It’s really exciting, it’s great being able to learn how to operate within this space.” Like so many of the athletes and activators, you suspect she will inspire others, as much as she herself takes inspiration from them.