'Fairer pay, bigger audiences, better coverage' - What sportswomen want by 2025

On International Women’s Day, we ask a group of leading sportswomen how far women’s sport has come over the last five years, what change they want to see by 2025, and how to keep young girls active.

Perception and professionalism are two fundamental steps forward for some of our sportswomen over the last five years. But what about the future of women's sport? What needs to happen or change to keep growing women's sport?

England and Manchester City captain Steph Houghton, WBO super-welterweight champion Natasha Jonas, England cricket captain Heather Knight, England rugby captain Sarah Hunter, British No 2 tennis player Heather Watson and two-times W Series champion Jamie Chadwick reflect on the evolution of their own sports and pinpoint what needs to happen to sustain the development.

And, with a recent report from Women In Sport indicating that more than one million girls who thought of themselves as sporty at primary school lose interest in physical activity as teenagers, what message would our leading sportswomen have for those girls thinking about dropping out of sport?

Steph Houghton: The biggest change is probably the perception of women’s sport overall. I think now people are seeing us all as athletes and people who try to excel in their sport and compete rather than for our gender.

Natasha Jonas: With the support of big platforms, companies and a change in attitudes there's been a positive change in women’s sport across the board for the better. It's visible, it's endorsed and fans/the public support it and get behind it. Governing bodies are doing amazing work in staying relevant and recognising the need for change. Women (and, in male-dominated sports, men) are supporting, encouraging, motivating, empowering,