Course Overview
The Women’s Sport Leadership Academy (WSLA) 2026 will be held 23 – 28th August at the Bishop Otter Campus, University of Chichester. WSLA is a programme which sportscotland has worked in partnership with for a number of years, and we have supported several cohorts of female sports professionals by way of contributions to the programme costs.
WSLA is dedicated to developing tomorrow's female leaders of sport. The programme is targeted at middle-to-senior level management or Board positions across national, regional and international sport organisations – as per the WSLA recruitment guidelines. WSLA provides unique development opportunities for women leaders from around the world to step up, take the lead and make an impact. Since 2014, over 490 women from over 80 countries have become graduates of the Academy. In August 2026, the tenth Women’s Sport Leadership Academy (WSLA) will bring together exceptional women from across the sporting world. WSLA provides a unique learning environment designed to further develop leadership competencies and support the women to become the next generation of outstanding sport’s leaders. The 2026 cohort will join the global network of WSLA graduates.
Every participant from 2025 who responded to the evaluation rated it as excellent or very good. Headline comments included:
• “The facilitators and team are what make this programme so special. Their dedication and investment into each cohort and individual makes this world class.”
• “The week was intense but the most valuable and powerful course I have ever attended.”
• “WSLA is a commitment to yourself, not just a training course. You will leave with a profound clarity about the leader you are, the leader you want to become, and a fierce, global network of women who will actively help you get there.”
Full details of the programme can be found at https://www.wsla.co.uk/2026. You can also view the video of previous WSLA cohorts to learn more about the ‘feel’ of the week: https://youtu.be/v-hIJ21Ep3U
A 5-day residential programme from 23 – 28th August 2026
Cost
sportscotland is delighted to commit support of £1299 for a small number of candidates from our partner organisations in 2026. Applicants will be required to provide the remaining programme costs of £1200 plus travel (accommodation is already included in programme cost) and confirm that this is in place when submitting their application.
Application process
- Complete the online application form (you must use this link and not the one on the WSLA website)
- Send an email to ashley.bruce@sportscotland.org.uk which should include
- confirmation of support from the applicant’s Line Manager (we require you to send us a document from your employer stating what they will do to support you leading into, during, and after the residential week)
- confirmation of financial support for remaining programme costs (£1200)
- copy of applicant’s CV
If you do not qualify for sportscotland support and wish to apply directly to WSLA, please see the WSLA website for all information.