On 19th June, Twerton Park was delighted to play host to Somerset FA’s England Football Equal Game workshop.
Aimed at grassroots clubs, the workshop encourages clubs to consider their current provision, identify gaps and opportunities for future provision, and offers tips on how to develop their club’s governance, workforce, marketing and facilities to give girls and women equal access to football.
Welcoming clubs from around the county, Tara Taylor, Captain of Bath City Women’s first team, spoke of her experience at Twerton Park and how being treated the same as the men impacts her experience at the club, on and off the pitch.
From having their kits washed to playing facilities, access to the same sports professionals and social media content creators, Tara says that “We were promised an equal game to the men and everything has been delivered. I still get goosebumps every time I walk out of the tunnel onto the pitch at Twerton Park.” she added, having in the past not been allowed to train or play on the same pitch as the men for fear of damaging the turf.
Bath City Foundation’s Geoff Stevens was also on hand in his role as Women & Girls Community Champion for Somerset FA, offering advice on how to encourage more women to step over the sidelines and consider coaching roles within their clubs.
Rachael Lawler-Edwards, Football Development Officer, Female Participation & Inclusion at Somerset FA, said “Female football has grown exponentially since the Lionesses Euros success in 2022, with over 5,300 female players accessing football across our county. There is more we can do to ensure equal access to football for our female players and we are delighted to be working with clubs to help make this happen’.
If you are a grassroots club in Somerset and would like to find out more, email: caroline.white@somersetfa.com