Former British Showjumping President, Lis Astall Joins UK Sport Board

Thursday 31 October 2013

Culture Secretary Maria Miller has announced two new UK Sport board members who have been tasked to help the elite sport body build further on the incredible performances of Team GB and Paralympics GB at London 2012.

Former triathlete and rower Sarah Springman and former president of the British Showjumping Lis Astall join the board effective immediately.

UK Sport has set the ambitious target for Team GB and Paralympics GB to win more medals at Rio 2016 than was achieved in London. Public funding for elite sport is at a record high with over £355 million being invested in the four years to Rio – a 13 per cent increase on London 2012.

Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Maria Miller said: “Both Sarah and Lis will be real assets to the UK Sport board and bring a wealth of experience with them. Sarah’s past as an elite athlete and Lis’ experience in helping support young athletes and in sport sponsorship will prove valuable in the years ahead. I am sure they will both make great contributions as we look to keep the medals rolling in for Britain in the run up to and at Rio 2016.”

The appointments build on the Culture Secretary’s focus on raising the profile of women and sport, part of which aims to increase the representation of women on sport governing bodies boards.  UK Sport’s board is now forty per cent female. As part of their work on good governance Sport England and UK Sport are urging sport national governing bodies, which are in receipt of public funding, to have boards that are at least 25 per cent female by 2017. 

The two new board members begin their three year terms immediately with a time commitment of two days per month.

 
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