- Iberdrola is supporting three new National Federations – golf, cycling and paddle tennis – bringing the total number to 35.
- The electricity company thus combines its commitment to equality and sustainability.
Iberdrola has reinforced its commitment to women’s equality through sport with the incorporation of three new National Federations to the total of 32 it has been supporting to date, thus reaching the figure of 35 and promoting 800,000 female athletes.
The company’s commitment to women’s sport as a driving force for equality dates back to 2016 and, since then, it has been the first company to make a global commitment to women’s participation in this field and its main promoter.
With the incorporation of golf, paddle tennis and cycling federations, the number of women supported by the company has increased by 200,000 – reaching 800,000 sportswomen and 160 women’s competitions, although the indirect boost is much greater, given that it also benefits many more women and girls who play sport at a grassroots level.
As of today, Iberdrola supports the National Federations of Athletics, Badminton, Handball, Boxing, Ice Sports, Fencing, Football, Gymnastics, Hockey, Karate, Canoeing, Rugby, Surfing, Table Tennis, Triathlon and Volleyball, Underwater Activities, Bowling, Winter Sports, Weightlifting, Judo, Olympic Wrestling, Mountaineering and Climbing, Swimming, Skating, Ball, Rowing, Squash, Taekwondo, Tennis, Archery, Sailing, Golf, Paddle Tennis and Cycling.
Iberdrola Executive Chairman Ignacio Galán participated in the event of the three new Federations incorporation, which was hosted by Mónica Carrillo and attended by around 200 sportswomen representing all 35 Federations.
The event took place the National Golf Centre facilities, which hosted a mini padle tennis court, a small practice area for golf and another area with bicycles, where sportswomen representing each of the three new sports challenged each other to practice their respective sports in a competition in which they were all winners because, as the motto of the event stated: “Promoting women’s sport we all win”.
They are high-level sportswomen, including Ana Peláez, Iberdrola Ambassador, ranked 11th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking; Esmeralda Racionero, member of the national junior cycling team; and María Silvela, world champion and 13 times Spanish paddle tennis champion.
For Iberdrola, this drive is an excellent tool for building equality in our society because it transcends barriers of sex, race or nationality; it helps to break down gender stereotypes, which generate discrimination; it promotes well-being and self-esteem; and it creates role models for young people.
For this reason, Iberdrola has a large team of female ambassadors, elite sportswomen who champion equality and embody the values of solidarity, effort and teamwork.
Among the sportswomen attendees were Belén Tomil (athlete), Lydia Valentín (weightlifting), Eva Moral (paratriathlete), Janire González (surfer), Laura Fuertes (boxer), Laura Martínez (judo player), Desiree Vila (triathlete), María Laborda (climber), María Vicente (athlete), Nuria Rodriguez (figure skater), Ona Carbonell (synchronised swimmer) and Ana Peláez (golfer).
So far, Iberdrola’s role as the main promoter of women’s sport in Spain resulted in a 42% increase in the number of women’s licences in the Federations it supports.
For Iberdrola, the commitment to equality is not limited to elite athletes and federated women. For this reason, and with the aim of recognising and making visible those who promote women’s empowerment through sport from a grassroots level, the company holds the Iberdrola Supera awards every year, with a total of €300,000 euros to be distributed among its 6 categories.
