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Leadership was the focus at Wembley for the latest Women in Football event, supported by The FA, this week.

WiF board member, Jacqui Oatley chaired proceedings which saw FA chief executive Martin Glenn; Alex Scott; of England and Arsenal; the FA's director of participation and development, Kelly Simmons; Vivienne Aiyela, the FA's anti-discrimination chairperson’s panel member and Jenny Horsfield of Cambridge United's Community Trust debating some of the key issues relating to female representation in the game.

There was many positive developments off the pitch up for discussion and Lioness Alex Scott, enjoyed the experience: "It was great to come to Wembley today and hear from so many different people about women and leadership," she said.

"I am captain for my club but there is so much we can learn from each other and this event was an example of that."

Vivienne Aiyela was enthusiastic about the new direction the FA was travelling with their exploration of initiatives such as a blind recruitment process to encourage a more diverse staff:

"Not just talk but talking action to be more inclusive" she said. Hopefully one day (sooner rather than later) I will see women who look like me in management and leadership positions in The FA and other sports. And this includes more black women on County FA Boards. Being a Chair of the Anti-discrimination disciplinary panel is a challenge within the environment but I hope other black women will apply"

The FA's Head of Equality Sue Ravenlaw said: "Whilst we’ve worked with Women in Football closely in recent years, this event is the first time we’ve worked jointly on delivering an event which shows real progress on our journey together.

"The subject was leadership and we’ve just launched our own programme here at The FA aimed at getting more talented women from across the game in boardroom positions."

Women in Football were asked about mentoring opportunities and the FA's Lucy Wellings, FA Women’s Football Clubs Manager, talked about her positive experience of the WiF/Women Ahead mentoring scheme which matches business people as mentors to work with those wanting to progress in sport's leadership.

The partnership event was organised as part of Girls' Football Week which saw a record 80,000 girls and women taking part across the country.

 

 

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