The targeted investment will support 20 carefully selected projects to get more women from disadvantaged communities and those caring for children playing sport as part of the drive to deliver a mass participation legacy from the London 2012 Games.

Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport England, said: "For many women with children or those managing a tight budget, sport – and time to themselves - can slip down the list of priorities.

"The projects we're funding today have asked local women what is stopping them from getting involved and what sports interest them, before coming up with an offer that is appealing and accessible."

Figures published by Sport England in December revealed the size of the gender gap in sport and showed that at present, one in eight (2.761 million) women regularly play sport in England.

While this has increased significantly in the past five years, it still trails behind men's participation, with one in five (4.176 million) taking part.

Women from disadvantaged communities play even less sport, with less than one in ten women taking part.

Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson said: "We have many fantastic female athletes in this country, but not enough women participating at sport's grassroots.

"More needs to be done to encourage women to participate in sport, particularly those from disadvantaged communities.

"The £10 million being invested by Sport England will give women the chance to try out new sports as part of a dedicated programme and hopefully keep them in sport in the future."

Gail Emms, the Athens 2004 Olympic silver medallist in badminton who became a mum nine months ago with the arrival of Harry, added: "As a new mum, I know only too well how difficult it can be to make time for yourself and to get out there and play sport.

"The projects receiving investment from Sport England today will make a big difference because they've really thought through the challenges women face in becoming regular sports participants."

Chosen through a competitive process, the investment decisions announced today include projects such as the £1 million ($1.5 million) Netball in the City initiative which aims to get over 12,000 women back on the court in a number of major English cities, and the £154,509 ($239,130) Fit, Free & Fabulous programme which aims to use the power of sport to help women who've suffered abuse or domestic violence, to improve their health and self-esteem.


Meanwhile, £2.295 million ($3.550 million) has been awarded to a project that will get 30,000 women playing "doorstep sports" in 49 of the most disadvantaged areas in England while a grant of £147,000 ($227,510) is going to Southampton charity Catch 22 for a project that will introduce women to activities such as boxercise, badminton, swimming and canoeing.

In addition, a National Women's Cycling Network will be created thanks to a £992,159 ($1.5 million) investment which will see 80,000 women getting on their bikes.

Sue Tibballs, the chief executive of the Women's Sport and Fitness Foundation (WSFF), said: "WSFF welcomes Sport England's investment to increase the number of women from disadvantaged communities and mothers playing sport.

"Women make up over 50 per cent of the population, yet despite this, many often find it hard to access sport due to a complex set of barriers and practical requirements.

"Projects tailored specifically to meet the needs of female participants are hugely beneficial and support our goal of creating a nation of active women."

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