Women’s Sport Trust is pleased to announce that the Jacobs Futura Foundation has awarded a grant to support athletes through the Unlocked programme. This funding will benefit both the 111 athlete alumni and a new cohort set to launch this autumn.
WST’s Unlocked programme is a leadership and development initiative designed to support elite female athletes in using their platform to shape the future of women’s sport. Launched in 2020, the programme provides athletes with training, mentoring, and networking opportunities to help advocate for greater visibility, investment, and equality in women’s sport.
Typically made up of current or recently retired elite athletes, participants are encouraged to collaborate with each other and with key sports stakeholders to influence the wider sports industry. The programme focuses on storytelling, media skills, and commercial impact, empowering athletes to shape the narrative around women’s sport and drive systemic change.
The Unlocked programme aligns perfectly with the Jacobs Futura Foundation’s commitment to supporting athletes as they transition beyond their sporting careers. Alongside its mission to protect the world’s tropical rainforests, the Foundation is dedicated to improving resources for athletes during this pivotal stage and to explore new ways to create lasting impact.
Rachel Lewis, Sport Portfolio Lead, Jacobs Futura Foundation commented:
“The Jacobs Futura Foundation are proud to support the Unlocked programme, which represents an innovative approach to athlete development. By providing targeted leadership training and creating a supportive community, WST is not just supporting individual athletes but driving systemic change in women’s sport. The programme provides a unique opportunity to generate insights into the transition experiences of women in sport, helping to create meaningful pathways for athletes.”
Since its launch, Unlocked has empowered multiple cohorts of athletes across various sports to discover and amplify their unique voices. Graduates of the programme have secured sponsorships, embraced media opportunities, championed diversity within their sports, and created initiatives to inspire and connect with women and girls. Three years after completing Unlocked, more than 40% of athletes have transitioned into formal leadership roles, including board positions, EDI committees, advisory groups, and senior leadership roles within sport.
As women’s sport continues to grow and evolve, the Unlocked programme plays a vital role in supporting female athletes to thrive during and beyond their sporting careers. With the backing of partners like the Jacobs Futura Foundation, WST is focused on expanding the programme’s reach and impact – ensuring more athletes are equipped to lead, influence, and drive change across the industry. We’ll be recruiting the next Unlocked cohort over the coming months, with the programme set to launch in the autumn.
About the Jacobs Futura Foundation
The Jacobs Futura Foundation (JFF) is a philanthropic organisation dedicated to creating lasting, positive change in the preservation of the world’s tropical rainforests, and supporting athletes in their futures following the end of their sporting careers. JFF believes in the power of strategic, long-term thinking, aiming for deep and mutual partnerships, and fostering lasting solutions that empower individuals and communities to thrive.