22 October 2019
The 21 For 21 project from Berks & Bucks FA (BBFA) is about providing mentoring, support and funding for 21 women and girls from Milton Keynes.
England and Reading midfielder Jade Moore was a surprise guest at Stadium MK as she helped officially launch a two-year mentoring and support programme for females from Milton Keynes in the run-up to Euro 2021.
The project is another pledge from Women in Football's #WhatIf campaign that has come to fruition.
The 21 For 21 project from Berks & Bucks FA (BBFA) is about providing mentoring, support and funding for 21 women and girls from Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas over the next two years in the build up to the tournament.
Each of the 21 candidates is currently involved in football on a playing, coaching, refereeing or volunteering basis so the project is set to have a massive impact on the local football picture and provide the local community with plenty of new role models moving forward BBFA look to support and sustain their journey for the next two seasons.
The 21 for 21 packages also includes a financial bursary of over £500 towards FA coaching courses, club registration fees and equipment/kit vouchers.
The launch event was the first time all the successful candidates got to meet each other, as well as find out more about the programme and hear from influential female leaders of the game.
Lionesses midfield ace Jade talked about her experiences in the game, answered questions and posed for photos before candidates heard from Louise Gear, Head of Women’s Development at The FA and Women in Football's Monique Choudhuri.
"It’s fantastic to have a project like Berks & Bucks FA's 21 For 21 programme which is providing 21 women and girls with an opportunity to get involved in a sport they love, that we all love, in which ever way, shape or form they wish," said Jade, an official #BBFA21For21 Ambassador.
'And to have the people to support and mentor them throughout the pathway so that they have the best environment in which to excel is fantastic.
"It's really important to have opportunities like these available for women and girls in this sport, not only to help generate new participants, new fans and the continued growth of the female game but to bring different people together, build communities and help shape peoples' careers whilst finding life-long friends along the way.
"I'm really pleased and excited to be an ambassador for the Berks & Bucks FA 21 For 21 programme and I'm looking forward to seeing how all the candidates get on and seeing them again in Milton Keynes for Euro 2021."
Liz Verrall, CEO, Berks & Bucks FA, said: “We are very excited about the potential impact the’ 21 For 21’ project will have on female football across the County. Not only for the 21 candidates that we will directly support, but also for the increased profile for females in our sport and the opportunity for more female role model across all age groups to encourage more women and girls to get involved.”
Jane Purdon, CEO, Women in Football, added: “This is an incredible opportunity for women in the region. It highlights the power of the Women in Football #WhatIf campaign and the positive impact it can have in providing opportunities for girls and women in football.
“We're delighted Berks & Bucks FA can see the value of our campaign and are supporting it in such a proactive way."
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