Northern Grit, Sporting Glory. A Celebration of Women in Sport
Northern Grit, Sporting Glory: A Powerful Celebration of Women in Sport
On Sunday 9 November Manchester shone brightly as Northern Grit, Sporting Glory brought together some of the most inspiring figures in sport, business, and leadership to celebrate the unstoppable force of women’s sport in Greater Manchester.
Hosted by BBC Radio Manchester’s Stacey Copeland, the event put Manchester’s trailblazing women firmly in the spotlight. From Olympic and Paralympic athletes to community leaders and changemakers driving equality and opportunity across the sporting landscape.
A star-studded line-up captivated the audience, including Olympic gold medallist Keely Hodgkinson MBE, former Lioness Steph Houghton MBE, Rugby World Cup winning Red Rose and Sale Shark Morwenna Talling and Olympic basketball player Dominique Allen, who shared their stories of grit, determination, and purpose.
Joined by Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, and Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, the evening went far beyond celebration.
Through honest and inspiring conversations, the panels explored what it truly means to invest in women and girls in sport. From the park to the podium and how Greater Manchester continues to lead the way in creating inclusive, ambitious sporting pathways.
With three dynamic discussion panels, an auction raising vital funds for the Greater Manchester Women’s Sports Foundation, and exclusive video features showcasing real stories of local impact, Northern Grit, Sporting Glory proved itself to be more than an event. It was a statement.
The energy, passion, and commitment in the room left no doubt: this is just the beginning of a powerful movement for women’s sport in Greater Manchester and beyond.
Thanks to all our panellists and sponsors for their support. The evening raised over £21,000, empowering women and girls across Greater Manchester through sport!
Thanks to the generosity of our community, each of the seven Greater Manchester Sports Foundations will receive £3,000 to invest directly in opportunities for women and girls. This means more grassroots initiatives, more emerging talent, and more inclusive pathways for confidence, wellbeing, and success.
A huge thank you to our headline sponsors, Manchester Airport Group and RBC Brewin Dolphin, and to everyone who donated, bid, or bought a raffle ticket. Your support is helping to ignite a powerful movement for women and girls in sport across our region.
Together, we’re making sport a force for lasting social impact.
