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Have you ever thought about becoming a director of a sport organisation? Would you know how to go about applying for such a position, or perhaps feel you were not qualified, have the right skills or experience?

Well think again!

The time for women to get involved and seek a board opportunity has never been better, says Women in Football CEO Jane Purdon.

"Being a director of an organisation is a fantastic way to grow your professional and leadership skills, and your network, and also a way of giving something back," she said.

"What's more, the time has never been better, as a woman working in football, to seek a board opportunity. All sport organisations who receive public funding must work to a target of having at least 30% of each gender on their board, and also have a realistic plan about how they will achieve gender parity on their boards.

"As you grow your role in your 'day job', you are acquiring skills and experience which are of huge interest and value to support organisations as a prospective board member for them.

"They need people who have experience of elite sport, grassroots sports, women's sport, marketing, event management, HR, legal, finance, comms, PR, community programmes - the list goes on.

"Directors are responsible for setting and implementing the strategy of an organisation, and the board is the ultimate decision-making body of the organisation.

"The board is led by the chair, part of whose responsibilities include ensuring that the board functions well. This will include supporting someone who has the right skills and experience to join the board, but who has perhaps not held a board position before."

In order to highlight and circulate such opportunities to our members and network, Women in Football has agreed with The FA that we will share new board positions on the County FAs, and here are three for starters:

Non-Executive Legal Director (Wiltshire FA) - click here

Six Appointed Director positions (Norfolk FA) - click here

Non-Executive Facilities Management and Project Management (Wiltshire FA) - click here

Keep a regular eye on our website, Facebook page (WomeninFootballOfficial), Twitter (@WomeninFootball) and LinkedIn (WomeninFootballOfficial) as we will publicise all future vacancies.

Another great place to look is the UK Sport website as all vacancies for governing bodies in other sports tend to get advertised there. Don't be put off if you don't play the sport in the question, as your professional skills and experience are what these organisations are looking for, rather than your detailed knowledge of their particular sport.

So do take a look at these vacancies - and remember that it's people like YOU that they are looking for!

We would love to hear from you if you apply, and if you are successful.

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