The Spireites’ home fixture against Newport County, on March 8, marked International Women’s Day. The Trust’s Alyss Jackson, Andrea Parkinson and Michelle Slater have reflected on the successes of the day.
Prior to kick-off, Andrea and Michelle hosted a Q&A for the Trust’s Wildcats and Premier League Kicks participants. Andrea said: “All the girls had prepared questions for us, about how long we’ve been in the women’s game, how we got involved in the women’s game and who our inspirations were.
“I think us answering their questions inspired them a little bit that actually being involved in the women’s game, whether it’s playing or coaching, that opportunities do arise.”
Michelle added: “Hopefully they got from the Q&A that there’s a future for them in football, probably a better future than what I had a long time ago, and if they keep working hard, keep improving and listening to their coaches, they can go on and do big things in the girls’ game.”
The Wildcats and Premier League Kicks participants took on the role of flag bearing for the fixture. On this experience for the girls, Alyss said: “As the players are walking out, they were on the pitch, waving the flags, just having a really good day and experience an opportunity that they might not otherwise have got to experience.
“I think they got a lot out of it; I think it was a really great opportunity, there was lots of smiles, lots of engagement during the activities and seeing role models really around the business that they can look up to and aspire to.”
Michelle spoke on the importance of celebrating International Women’s Day, she said: “It’s really important to highlight what females do in the game. We’ve got Alyss, who put on the events on the day and is doing a great job within the Community Trust. We’ve got Andrea, who is the women’s first-team manager. I’m the head of women’s football at the Trust, so it’s really vital to highlight females in the game that are really pushing girls’ football forward and making a difference.”
On Friday, March 7, The Trust and SHAPE Learning Partnership played a role in delivering the FA’s countrywide Biggest Ever Football Session, providing an inclusive session for young girls to play football.
Speaking on the Trust’s role in delivering the Biggest Ever Football Session, Andrea said: “To promote and also to host the event was really good for us. It shows that we take the women and girls game seriously and the event was a huge success!”