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Women at the Game will be holding its official launch at the Hotel Football in Manchester on Thursday 25th May (6.15pm) – and an invitation has been extended to all Women in Football members.

This is a late change of venue with the event originally due to be held at the National Football Museum.

Newly elected Mayor of Greater Manchester and former Shadow Secretary of Health, Andy Burnham, will be joining Women at the Game Founder Jacqui Forster on the night, adding his support to this ground-breaking initiative.

Women at the Game is, as Jacqui explains, a simple idea that is starting to snowball – and the official launch is testament to that fact.

“There have been a lot of academic papers over the years that show how underrepresented women are attending sporting events, and men’s football especially," she said.

“This came to me as an idea to try to address the situation and I have had an opportunity to try and set something up, which is now really starting to take off.”

The idea of Women at the Game is straight forward - to encourage friendship amongst women through a shared interest where women of all backgrounds, ages, ethnicity, religious beliefs and abilities can go to a football match or other sporting events together - and watch together.

“Women are 50 per cent of the population, so why shouldn’t they go along and enjoy themselves the same as men do?” added Jacqui.

“It’s more intimidating, more uncomfortable to go along on your own and can be difficult to overcome that fear of the unknown, which is where we hope to make a real difference.

“My late Dad took me to football on a Saturday afternoon from a young age and I have been a fan ever since, so I know what to expect at a game, whereas if you haven’t gone to a game before you literally don’t know what is on the other side of the turnstile, which can be daunting.

“Walking into a pub as a woman can be tough, but it is different walking in with a group of friends as you feel more comfortable and more confident. It’s the same principle with Women at the Game – by encouraging women to meet beforehand in somewhere like a café or coffee shop and going with other females, it is a supportive environment.

“The issue has been women not going to football matches or other spectator events for a variety of reasons, and this is a workable solution.”

Having already successfully piloted at Bath City, Hitchin and Enfield to name just three clubs, Women at the Game are looking to share their experiences thus far at the Launch Party.

The evening will provide an opportunity to find out more about the organisation, meet other supporters and women in involved in sport, plus those who have already held Women at the Game events and perhaps find out how to hold your own event. 

There will be refreshments and exhibition stands from clubs, supporters’ groups, women’s groups and other relevant organisations.

WiFs can register to attend the Launch Party using the Eventbrite registration here

"It would be fantastic to welcome Women in Football members along for the evening," added Jacqui, "We look forward to meeting you on 25 May."

If you are interested in having an exhibition table at the event for your organisation, please separately contact womenatthegame@gmail.com for further details.

You can engage on social media as follows:

Facebook: Women at the Game

Twitter: @womenatthegame

Email: womenatthegame

 

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