On Friday 14 March, Bryanston hosted a sports conference in partnership with The Powerhouse Project, with industry-leading women from sports media, business and wellbeing.
The conference, aimed at those in Year 8 and above, saw Bryanston welcome up to 200 pupils from schools such as Walhampton, Reading Blue Coat School and Lytchett Minster, along with Bryanston’s own senior pupils and girls from Year 7 and Year 8 at Bryanston Prep. Staff from schools such as Abingdon and Millfield, who share Bryanston’s passion for the empowerment of women and girls through sport, also attended.
Inspiring speakers from the world of sport joined us on the day, including Rosie Kmita (Sports Business), Keely Watson (Sports Media) and Edel McCann (Sports Wellbeing). Attendees also took part in workshops and discussion panels, and Bryanston’s Physiotherapy team offered practical sessions at the Sports Centre.
In the lead-up to the conference, pupil-led content flooded Bryanston’s social media pages, celebrating the School’s athletes, dedicated team players and the inspiring staff involved in sport. BryRadio featured interviews with keynote speakers throughout the day, focusing on the event’s mission to empower women through sport.
Assistant Director of Sport Beth Rodford, commented: “We’re delighted by the enthusiasm and openness of everyone who participated in this year’s conference. It’s been a privilege to see pupils, staff, and guest speakers come together to champion women’s sports and spotlight the importance of confidence, resilience, and collaboration.”
The keynote speaker, Rosie Kmita, co-founder of the Powerhouse Project with sister, Mollie, addressed social pressures, gender stereotypes, body confidence issues and self-belief. Rosie and Mollie are former professional footballers, now established sports broadcasters, and join Phil de Glanville, Abbie Brown and Kumar Sangakkara on Bryanston’s Sports Advisory Board.
Director of Sport, Rory McCann, added: “By partnering with The Powerhouse Project, we’ve united schools and thought leaders who share our commitment to empowering girls and women through sport. The success of this conference demonstrates that, when given the right platform, young athletes are eager to learn, grow, and ultimately transform the sporting landscape for the better.”
