Why women's sport is still 'behind 8-ball' despite a summer of success

It has been a summer of women's sport to remember.

- by Laura Collins

Scarborough's Zoe Aldcroft, the Red Roses skipper, lifts the Women's Rugby World Cup trophy at Allianz Stadium on September 27.

From the Lionesses roaring to victory and retaining their European Championship title to the Red Roses marking the first time England have lifted the Women's Rugby World Cup trophy in 11 years.

The momentum that is building from bigger crowds, more funding and growing visibility on our television screens is hard to ignore.

Yet beneath the celebrations there is a much sharper truth - the playing field is still far from level. Funding, media coverage and access continue to be a barrier behind the men's game.

While the success of this summer proves what is possible it also highlights just how much more still needs to be done to make equality the norm and not the exception.