This week celebrates Women in Sport, and a recent event at Selhurst Park demonstrated the importance of encouraging young women to become involved in sporting activities.

The Crystal Palace FC (CPFC) Foundation were delighted to have a full house at Selhurst Park as they teamed up with the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and Union Learning Fund (ULF) “Achievement Through Sport” project to deliver an inspiring Education Day to encourage the next generation of women and young girls that a career in sport is achievable to all. 

CPFC Foundation Trustee Christine Double hosted the education day and introduced a trio of guest speakers - champion weightlifter, Jo Calvino, award winning dance company entrepreneur, Leanne Pero and Reading FC’s Inclusion Officer and Taekwondo expert, Jay Gilbert. Sky Sports presenter, Vicky Gomersall delivered a keynote speech, whilst Alan Irwin from the PFA and ULF project opened the event by highlighting the importance of inclusion.

The Foundations Sports Development Director Gary Mulcahey and Community Development Director Soye Briggs along with the PFA’s Riz Rehman, were keen to demonstrate that pathways in the sport industry are not exclusive to elitist athletes. The Foundation believes that there are numerous sporting opportunities available to young women that are not readily explored and were eager to champion the message that sport can be inclusive to anyone with a passion to be involved in it

The PFA and Unionlearn ‘Achievement through Sport’ project works closely with football clubs and their Foundations to assist them in promoting the learning agenda to the wider community - and Equality & Diversity is always a central theme.

The education day was a success and reached over 60 female attendees from Croydon and Thornton Heath who were given a chance to hear from a number of guest speakers and ask questions about their career pathways. There were also workshops centred around coaching, presented by FA skills coach Roxanne Bennett, marketing and communications, community development and enterprise and training skills. 

Vicky Gomersall, Sky Sports presenter, commented:

The day was an extremely rewarding way to provide inspiration to young girls who may of easily dismissed a career in sport. The occupational avenues available within the industry are so diverse that it is not just about being physically active or being good at a sport, it is about finding a passion for something and pursuing it with drive and conviction.”

Jo Calvino, champion weightlifter, said:

This conference is testament to will of the Crystal Palace FC Foundation and the PFA to drive more women toward sport. There are many obstacles and barriers within the industry, but that should spur women on to challenge and overcome these. I would encourage all young girls to explore the vast opportunities within sport and find what motivates them to achieve success."

The PFA / ULF Project Worker Riz Rehman said:

Equality and Diversity is a central theme for our project and it was great to see so many young Women here today. Since 2013 Women footballers in the WPL have enjoyed equal parity with their male counterparts within the PFA, so we are all for promoting inclusion in football and sport in general."

Unionlearn Apprenticeships Support Officer Oreleo Du Cran said:

The event was very successful in giving young people an opportunity to gain information advice and guidance from a range of sporting professionals. The Professional Footballers Association (PFA) has helped to create the backdrop to community engagement in a very diverse area.  A large cohort of young women have been given the confidence to develop pathways to developing their skills.
 
A number of them will take the opportunity to develop further by pursuing a career in sport. Unionlearn are keen supporters of quality apprenticeships where transferable skills are developed and long term career pathways can be achieved."