GRC | Episode 2: She Leads — On and Off the Pitch

What does it truly mean to lead in sport — both on and off the pitch? In Episode 2 of GRC | Grassroots Roundtable Collective, we bring together powerful voices from the sports ecosystem for an honest conversation on women in sport, leadership, representation, and real influence. This episode explores the journeys, challenges, and defining moments of women who are shaping sport beyond performance — through leadership, visibility, decision-making, and impact. From breaking visible and invisible barriers to understanding what meaningful representation looks like, this conversation goes beyond inspiration and focuses on the realities of building space, voice, and influence in Indian sport. 🎙️ Grassroots Roundtable Collective is a platform bringing together voices shaping the future of grassroots sport in India through conversations around technology, law, leadership, and community. Panelists Aintzane Encinas Former Professional Footballer | UEFA Pro Coach | Sports Leader Shweta Vishwanathan Sports Industry Professional | Women in Sport Advocate Swathi Bhojaraj Moderator | Founder & CEO, PropelAthon | Former International Fencer, India #womeninsports #grassrootssports #indiansports [women in sports, women in sport India, sports leadership India, women sports leadership, grassroots sports India, Indian sports podcast, women football India, leadership in sports, representation in sports, female athletes India, sports ecosystem India, women coaches India, Indian football development, sports podcast India, GRC podcast] Chapters: 0:00 Opening: She Leads On and Off the Pitch 1:05 Defining Women’s Leadership in Sport 2:10 Aintzane’s Early Football Journey 3:30 The Importance of Female Role Models 4:45 Skill, Gender and Mixed-Team Experiences 6:05 Working Across Sports and Athlete Development 7:45 From Footballer to Coach 9:10 Equal Access for Girls in Sport 10:20 Building the Next Generation of Women Leaders 11:35 Where Leadership Really Begins 12:25 Visibility, Representation and Women in Sport 13:20 Breaking the Mindset Around Women’s Capabilities 14:35 Why Girls Drop Out of Sport 15:50 Family Support and Unequal Expectations 17:05 The Double Pressure on Female Athletes 18:10 Vinesh Phogat and the Bigger Conversation 20:05 Women in Sports Leadership 21:20 The Reality for Female Coaches 22:30 Being the Only Woman at the Table 24:05 FIFA’s Female Coach Regulation 25:20 Why Representation in Coaching Matters 26:35 Menstrual Health and Athlete Support 28:00 Creating Safer Sports Spaces for Girls 29:20 Changing the Culture Around Girls in Sport 30:15 Practical Changes for Women Athletes 31:25 Let Players Play and Coaches Coach 32:15 Safe Sport Policies and Governance 33:30 Safety, Travel and Dropout Concerns 34:35 The Equality Ball Initiative 35:40 Creating Equal Opportunities Through Sport 36:20 Closing Thoughts