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Women in Football and Betfair have confirmed the 50 female coaches selected from across England to complete their UEFA B Licence as part of the ground-breaking 'Fairer Game' campaign.

The campaign, which was launched in June, aims to promote better training and opportunities for female coaches in football.

Since the announcement of Fairer Game, Betfair has been working alongside Women in Football, to address the gender disparity that exists in professional-level football.

Betfair will pay the £50,000 required to place the 50 coaches, selected from hundreds of applicants from up and down the country, on their relevant FA course, and provide coaching opportunities through their grassroots sports programme Cash 4 Clubs. Women in Football will also provide additional support to the 50 coaches by welcoming  them into their wider female football network.

By adding to the number of women with a UEFA B licence, the ultimate goal is to increase the number of women at the top of the coaching pyramid in England.

Ex-Arsenal and England footballer Rachel Yankey, who holds a UEFA B and is training for her UEFA A licence, has partnered with Betfair to front the campaign and attended the official launch on 2nd October. Rachel will provide advice and support to the 50 selected coaches throughout their training journey and gave the aspiring women an unexpected boost when she held an impromptu coaching sesssion following the official press launch.

Rachel said, “I’m excited to help the selected 50 females follow their passion just like I did. I think this is a really unique and empowering opportunity for them.

"That first day of training, or the first time at a new club is much easier if you see a friendly face and these women will now have 49 faces they know working towards the same goal.

"I personally feel like having more women in positions throughout football will benefit the game as a whole as diversity provides balance and brings together different perspectives.”

Women in Football chair Anna Kessel added: “We’re extremely proud to be part of a campaign that champions women in football, especially with the support that the 50 female coaches will be given by Betfair and Rachel Yankey.

"It can be a daunting experience as a female coach and through our network we want to be able to lean in and help these female coaches in any way we can."

 Betfair's Naomi Totten echoed those sentiments, saying: “Betfair is widely recognised for its transformational products, marketing and campaigns and Fairer Game is no different.

"The campaign is about challenging the status quo, and striving to push more women to the higher ranks of professional level football. There will be challenges that remain as we work to get each coach a place on a course and guide them on their journey.

"However, we wanted to give 50 female coaches the chance to break down  barriers and show that they have the support of others within the game, including the Women In Football network and Rachel Yankey who is not only an inspirational player, but also a passionate coach too.” 

Don't forget that you can become a member of Women in Football by clicking on the link here - and it's free!

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