Celebrating women who
blazed a sporting trail

Naomi Adie

First female captain of Team UK
Athletics at the Invictus Games.

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HISTORY

Passion, personalities, pioneers.

Sports Podge has always celebrated the passion, the personalities and the friendships forged through sport.

For our fourteenth year our theme is First Women – celebrating the trailblazers who smashed ceilings, vaulted barriers and changed the sporting landscape. Often, in the early days, wearing insanely impractical kit. (One of my all-time favourite quotations points out that Ginger Rodgers did everything Fred Astaire did, ‘only backwards and in high heels’).

The day itself conforms to the familiar winning Podge format: catch up with old friends, make new ones, maybe even strike the odd deal, all while enjoying a superb lunch without the distraction of auctions, awards and overlong speeches.

Think of it as social networking but with living, breathing human beings – with a good chance you’ll be rubbing shoulders with actual sporting legends. As ever, the excellent food comes courtesy of the IoD’s award-winning chef, accompanied by fine wines from the IoD’s cellar. And, as afternoon turns to evening, bacon butties and veggie alternatives appear (as if by magic) at the bar.

Great venues, great food and a bar that never runs dry have always been at the heart of Podge (hence the name) so forget all that ‘body is a temple’ business and be ready to fill your boots, slingbacks or Mizuno Wave Riders. Podge is about expanding horizons and contact books. And your waistbands? Maybe a little…

Anyhow, come raise a glass to the women who came, swam, volleyed, sprinted, coached, presented and conquered.

Sportingly yours,

Phil Jones

Nicola Adams

First woman to win Olympic
boxing gold and defend her title.

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Nadia Comaneci

First gymnast in Olympic history
to win a perfect score of 10.

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FIRST BASE

Where we'll be doing the honours.

Institute of Directors
116 Pall Mall
London
SW1Y 5ED
Date & Time

10 May 2019

First impressions (Drinks)
12:30 to 13:15

A feast of firsts (Lunch)
13:15 to 17:00

First come, first served (Bar)
17:00 until late

Bacon Butties and Veggie Alternatives
19:00

Babe Zaharias

First female PGA competitor -
she also won Olympic medals in
hurdles, javelin and high jump.

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YOUR LUNCHMATES

A flavour of the fine company you'll be keeping.

Charlotte Cooper

First female Olympic gold medalist and
5 times Wimbledon Singles champion.

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OUR SUPPORTERS

Kindly keeping our parsnips buttered and our cups flowing over.

LEGENDS WHO LUNCHED