The Right to Play Women's Network is delighted to announce that sports icon and humanitarian, Billie Jean King, has become its Honorary Chair.

Billie Jean is a former number one professional tennis player who challenged gender inequality in her sport, most famously in the Battle of the Sexes match in 1973 against Bobby Riggs which she won. She is a great ambassador for, and advocate of, the importance of sport in bringing about lasting change to the lives of women and girls all over the world, so it is with great pleasure that we welcome her to the position of Honorary Chair of the Network.

The Right To Play Women's Network engages influential and inspirational women in the work Right To Play does to empower disadvantaged and vulnerable women and girls facing daily discrimination and indignity across the world. Using sport- and play-based activities, Right To Play challenges inequality within communities and gives women and girls the tools, confidence, and support they need to find a voice and stand up for their rights.

"I am proud to be the Honorary Chair of the Right To Play Women's Network. "Through sport and play - and winning and losing - girls learn confidence, leadership, teamwork and resilience. I believe deeply in the power of sport to bring about lasting change. Right To Play's unique play-based approach keeps girls in school, promotes healthy behaviours and gives them the skills they need to have a voice in their communities. I am delighted to be associated with an organisation that is such an agent of change."

-Billie Jean King