Latest from Her Turn
Stay up to date with the latest from Her Turn. Here we share programme updates, upcoming activities, and key moments from across our journey — from in-person seminars to insights from mentors, experts and partners shaping the future of sports leadership.
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Sport does not only select leaders. It also shapes our idea of what a leader is supposed to look and sound like. The familiar image is often someone visibly confident, decisive, competitive and comfortable exercising authority. These qualities may be useful, but they are not neutral. Organised sport has historically been led largely by men,…
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What makes a good sports leader today? We asked Her Turn participants what has shaped their approach to leadership and what they believe the future of sport should look like. From creating environments where people feel safe and supported to questioning long-established ways of working, the participants reflect on the values and experiences that shape…
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Despite progress, women still hold only around 10% of top leadership positions in European national sports federations. Behind the numbers are everyday experiences that often go unnoticed – unspoken expectations, double standards, and the pressure to constantly prove your place in leadership. From being told not to be “too much” to feeling there is no…
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During the first Her Turn session in Tallinn, one theme appeared with particular clarity: confidence. More precisely, the feeling of not yet being ready. Many women recognised themselves in thoughts such as: I need more experience first. I need one more training. I should wait until I am fully prepared. Someone else is probably more…
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Leadership development does not happen only in training rooms or mentoring sessions. It also happens through reflection — by taking time to read, question our own habits and look at leadership from new perspectives. As part of the Her Turn programme, our mentors shared three book recommendations that can support women on their leadership journey.…
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During our Her Turn session in Tallinn, participants mapped the qualities they believe strong leaders need today. Their reflections showed that leadership is not only about making decisions — it is about creating a culture where people feel safe, respected and supported to grow. The top 9 qualities of a good leader are the following:
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2–3 minutes read Leadership trends are changing – the focus is now shifting from how organisations help women reach leadership positions to ways they will progress once they get there. With data showing that six out of ten women in senior positions are more likely to report burnout, which appears to be the highest level seen in the last…
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On 23–24 April, the first Her Turn cohort came together in Tallinn for the programme’s kick-off seminar — two days dedicated to leadership, ambition, self-development and building the confidence to shape the future of sport. The Her Turn Class of 2026 brings together 25 women from 12 countries, representing all levels of sport — local,…
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4–6 minutes read In an environment of uncertainty and increasingly complex challenges organizations face on a daily basis, a need for a rapid change is imperative. This primarily underlines the increasing demand for a new generation of leaders able to make thoughtful and balanced decisions based on the needs dictated by society and the economy.…
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The Her Turn leadership programme has received strong international interest, with a total of 104 applications submitted for the 2026 cohort. Applicants represent 18 different countries and come from a wide range of roles across sports organisations, including sports clubs, federations, Olympic committees and other sport-related institutions. The high number and diversity of applications reflect…
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Her Turn – Empowering Female Leaders in Sports Management programme has opened its call for participants. Applications are open until 28 February 2026. ”Women must be part of the tables where decisions are made in sport. Leadership benefits from diversity, experience, and different perspectives. Her Turn supports women who are ready to take on responsibility…
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European sports organisations are enhancing gender balance in leadership. A report shows 60% have initiated measures, with France, the UK, and Norway as key examples. France legislated parity, the UK established governance standards to promote diversity, and Norway utilizes data-driven accountability to track progress, demonstrating various successful approaches to improve representation.
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A report published in early 2025, produced within a joint project of the Council of Europe and the European Commission, shows that women continue to hold a limited share of senior leadership positions in European sport, with progress at the highest levels remaining slow despite wider gender-equality efforts.** Based on data from 21 European jurisdictions, the analysis finds that women…