Sawyer excited to inspire next generation at flagship Wembley conference

By Alec McQuarrie

Natalie Sawyer can't wait to conduct an orchestra of star speakers at the annual Women in Football Be Inspired Conference, in partnership with Barclays, at Wembley on Wednesday.

A line-up brimming with insight will convene at the Home of Football for two days, aiming to inspire the next generation of women in the football industry.

TalkSPORT presenter Sawyer, alongside fellow broadcasters Jacqui Oatley and Clare Balding, will host journalists, ex-footballers, chairs, pundits, producers and sports scientists as they impart their experiences and discuss the challenges women face in their journey into football.

And former Sky Sports star Sawyer is delighted to pass the baton onto those looking to break into the world of sport, as she managed herself at the start of the century.

Sawyer said: "I'm really excited. It's always a lovely opportunity to be in a venue as prestigious as Wembley, to be all together with the same goal in mind: trying to inspire the next generation, as ultimately that's what this is all about.

"It's trying to showcase what our industry is and what an exciting industry it is. Hopefully these next couple of days will inspire people to get involved and work within it.

"Some of us have been in this industry for a long time. It's not without its challenges and there are still challenges to be overcome."

Sawyer has been vocal on the subject of social media discrimination, only last month highlighting sexist abuse she routinely encounters on her twitter account.

And while the 43-year-old believes huge strides have been made to promote the inclusion of women in all areas of the industry, Sawyer insists there is a long way to go.

Sawyer said: "In the media there are still be people that don't feel that women should have a voice in men's football.

"I find I'm still questioned and if someone doesn't like my opinion on something, it will always come back to the fact I'm a woman.

"That's the hardest thing we still have to overcome."

Sawyer started out as a runner for Sky Sports and spent six years climbing the ladder before she finally got a chance in front of the camera.

And Sawyer is hoping the Women in Football Be Inspired Conference, in partnership with Barclays, expanded from a one-day event last year, will give those in her position 20 years ago a leg up.

Sawyer said: "That fact it's now over two days just goes to show the demand from people wanting to have this huge occasion, wanting to celebrate women in football.

"But also, people want to have the ability to network, to learn stories and get insight that you might not normally get."

Every sector of the industry will be represented, with the likes of Lewes CEO Maggie Murphy, talkSPORT executive producer Sarah Collins and former footballer Dion Dublin all in attendance.

Sawyer said: "I'm really looking forward to hearing from Jill Scott because who doesn't want to hear about her life story, the fact she's a Lioness and obviously most recently winning the Euros for England?

"But there are so many different angles to the sessions. Dr Eva Carneiro I'm sure will be really fascinating, as well as Anna Kessel – Sky Sports' Executive Director for Development.

"I think we're going to hear lots of really fascinating stories. It's going to open up different pathways for people they might not have considered before."

The Women in Football Be Inspired Conference in partnership with Barclays is a unique convergence of women who are blazing a trail in the game, and their allies in the pursuit of gender equality. The event offers invaluable insights and encouragement to women pursuing careers on and off the pitch, opening access to professional networks and development resources