Staffordshire Football Association has launched a new women and girls’ football project aimed at enhancing opportunities in the game.
Levelling the Score, which is supported by the Association’s Women & Girls’ Football Partner Leek Building Society, focuses on the recent growth in participation across female football in Staffordshire.
Through a series of strategic goals, it will further develop opportunities and attitudes, as the Association works in the community to enhance opportunities for female players, coaches, referees, and volunteers.
The initiative aims to connect stakeholders across the female game, acknowledging and recognising everyone’s collective efforts in growing the game, challenging negativity, and celebrating achievements.
Key stakeholders from across the Staffordshire football community attended a launch event hosted at Staffordshire University’s Catalyst Building to find out more about the initiative and to also hear from four high-profile guest speakers.
Kerry Davis (former England Lioness), Megan Cann (Sporting Khalsa Women FC), Meg Baldwin (Port Vale Women FC), and Siobhan Hodgetts (FA Women’s High Performance Centre Coach Developer), all spoke passionately about their respective experiences, followed by a question and answer session hosted by local radio presenter Matilda Newthorpe.
At the event, Leek United was unveiled as the commercial project for the project and will support Staffordshire FA in achieving its ambitions, objectives and targets.
Dani Taylor, Staffordshire FA’s Football Participation Officer – Female Pathway, said: “The Launch event for Levelling The Score was an extraordinary event.
“The passion and experience our guest speakers shared was fantastic and the feedback from those in attendance has really demonstrated both the need and support we have for this project moving forwards. It really feels like the start of something special to help grow the women & girls’ game in our county.”
Ian Blurton, Head of Branch Network and Customer Support at Leek Building Society: “Making a positive difference to our local communities is a key objective for Leek Building Society.
“We want to partner with local organisations which promote health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities. So, the ambition to grow women and girls’ football across Staffordshire was a perfect fit and we are delighted to be at the forefront of supporting this initiative.”
Off the back of the successful launch, several events have been planned to continue the momentum throughout the Spring. They include:
- 06/03/24 – Levelling The Score, Workshop 1: Female Friendly Environments.
- 08/03/24 – #LetGirlsPlay Biggest Ever Football Day
- 09/04/24 – Women’s County Cup Final + Levelling The Score Networking Event.
- 30/04/24 – Girls U16’s County Cup Final + Levelling The Score, Workshop 2: See it, Be it, Beyond it.
- 22/05/24 – Levelling The Score, Workshop 3: Tacking Stereotypes.
- Plus, various Women’s Coach Development Group CPD events.
