A new grant giving body dedicated to raising the profile and changing the perception of women's sport in the UK has been launched today (2 July).

Women's Sport Trust (WST) will be the only grant provider focused solely on female sport and is backed by a diverse range of elite female athletes along with representatives from business and the media.

Anna Watkins MBE, Olympic gold medal rower and Patron of the WST, said: "We see ourselves as much as a movement as a grant giving body - focused on attracting new funding and profile for women's sport.

"We've been amazed and delighted by the remarkable response we've already had to the Trust. People are clearly thrilled to have an opportunity to make a difference to women's sport."

The WST will look to attract new funding into women’s sport – providing multiple routes for corporate partners and individuals to donate.The organisation's grants panel will be chaired by Team GB hockey captain Kate Walsh.

In addition to attracting new funding and driving sports participation, WST aims to form relationships with journalists and broadcasters – in order to increase the profile of women's sport in the media.

For more details on WST, click here.