New Equal Game Ambassador
We are delighted to confirm we have now appointed an Equal Game Ambassador Somerset FA. This role will support clubs to create female playing pathways to encourage more female players to play our beautiful game.
One of The FA’s ‘game-changer’ objectives from the 2020-24 Grassroots Football Strategy is to ensure that girls have equal access to football, in both schools and clubs. The 2022/23 season will see the recruitment of a team of Equal Game Ambassadors to provide England Football Accredited football clubs with off-field support in creating, maintaining and developing their female offer to ensure there are inclusive, safe and accessible opportunities available for all girls.
This role is aligned to the introduction of the new ‘Equal Game’ training programme which is designed to upskill club volunteers to be motivated, knowledgeable, confident and capable to develop more club-based opportunities for women and girls to play, coach, volunteer and / or spectate.
If you are interested in finding out more about this training and want to register your interest to create new or more female football at your club, you can find the new toolkit, resources and expression of interest form here: https://www.englandfootball.com/femalefootballatyourclub
The key objective of the ambassador role is to support grassroots football clubs to apply their learnings from the Equal Game Training and build their own Equal Game Action Plan, creating more accessible opportunities for women and girls.
The key principles of support are as follows:
• BESPOKE – Support to match the needs and wants of each individual club
• CONNECTED – The recognition that the most sustainable activity is one that is connected throughout the club
• PERSONAL – Built on relationships and trust
• CREATIVE – Curious in finding new and appropriate ways of empowering, engaging, and inspiring clubs to develop their female opportunities and pathways
Now meet Abi – our new Equal Game Ambassador for Somerset;
Name: Abi White
Football Role: Coach at a local grassroots girls team (Club provides full pathways for boys and girls)
Why Football? I’m involved in football because I am passionate about everything sports and fitness and have been involved in that area since leaving school, as a Personal Trainer and Triathlon Coach, as well as working as a Coach Developer for Triathlon England. My daughter started expressing an interest in football, so we went along to our local club, where we were welcomed with open arms from the coaches, the girls and the parents. It wasn’t long before I was asked to volunteer and help out which led to me doing my level 1 coaching course and in turn helping the club create another girls team.
What do you love about football? I love the inclusivity and team element of it, the game is for everyone, and anyone can have a go. Coming from a background of very individual sport, seeing how the girls create friendships and bonds, working together to achieve their goals is fantastic. The positive impact it’s had on, not only my daughter, but also, the whole family, is just amazing. It really has changed all of our lives for the better!
What do you find challenging within football? We get lots of girls wanting to join up and we therefore use a central waiting list system, although we always try and say yes where we can. We need more space, time and coaches!
Why is this Equal Game Ambassador Role so important? The positive impact sport, specifically football, can have on an individual is huge, both physically and mentally. In today’s world of social media and technology if we can get more female players in the game, I truly believe it will help girls live a healthier lifestyle, which will positively impact other areas of their lives. Recruiting female coaches and volunteers is a crucial part of developing a girls and women’s section.
What do you hope to achieve with clubs through this role? There seems to be a huge difference between clubs and their girls and women’s offerings, some clubs having to create waiting lists for girls teams, others, struggling to get enough girls for 1 team. I believe all grassroots clubs should be able to offer female players the opportunity to play in their own right. I have been lucky enough to be part of a club where they are building a fantastic girl’s section, built through good practice, great coaches and a forward-thinking committee and I would like to see this echoed across the district getting more girls enjoying the game.
For information about the Equal Game Training Programme & Toolkit or to express your interest to work with Abi within your club to look at setting up new or extra female provision, please contact Rachael.lawler-edwards@somersetfa.com.