We were delighted to welcome Dr Emma Ross, co-founder of The Well HQ and a leading voice in female athlete health, to Sevenoaks to deliver workshops and an academic enrichment talk on women’s performance in sport.
Dr Ross is an Honorary Research Fellow who has worked within elite Olympic sports teams. She has published over 30 scientific publications in sport and exercise science.
Her visit was nothing short of transformative, bringing science, empathy, and empowerment, breaking taboos and opening up essential conversations that are too often missing in school sport.The first workshop was attended by over 60 of our high-performance female sport students and the second by coaching staff from Sevenoaks School and the local area. Dr Ross provided evidence-based insight and knowledge of the development and support of the female athlete. These interactive sessions focused on the physical, physiological, psychological and social influences that female athletes and their coaches should be aware to best support their development.
Dr Ross’s ‘Gender Gaps’ speech tackled the taboos that exist within sport, and within wider society, when it comes to women’s health and participation in sport: topics such as the menstrual cycle, pelvic floor health and mental health.
We also recognise that girls’ sport needs more male allies. Creating a truly inclusive and supportive environment means involving everyone: coaches, teachers and peers, regardless of gender. Dr Ross’s visit helped reinforce this message, reminding us that allyship is a powerful tool in breaking down barriers and building confidence.
Her session resonated deeply, sparking meaningful dialogue and reflection, raising awareness and providing strategies to empower women and girls to pursue high performance.
We were also delighted to welcome PEBE to Sevenoaks recently and to announce an exciting new partnership with one of the leading teams of female experts on a mission to transform the way girls and women experience sport.
PEBE is tackling a challenge that too often goes unspoken: together, we’re working to change the narrative around sports bras and physical activity, helping a generation of girls feel confident, supported, and empowered to move freely and fearlessly in physical education and school sport. This partnership marks a significant step forward in our commitment to inclusivity, wellbeing, and body confidence.
