WELCOME FROM REBECCA SAWIUK

REBECCA SAWIUK DIRECTOR OF FOOTBALL

Hello and welcome to the Loughborough University stadium for our first home game of the season and WOW what a moment for the game. A big warm welcome goes to our special guests from Westham Women and Liverpool Women. Thank you to both Women’s Super League clubs for supporting our double header vision and the FA Women’s National League.

Today really does mark a moment in time, we at Loughborough were all enthused and inspired by our England Lionesses: European Champions! This great success motivated us all to do more for the game, and we wanted to act. Today’s double header is the culmination of lots of hard work. What a fantastic showcase event today will be, it really is special to be at the forefront for women’s football with the innovative collaboration and with the support of both Westham and Liverpool I hope you both enjoy your time with us on campus. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish Issy Martin, her coaching team and all of our players the very best of luck for today’s game and the season ahead. Moments like today are the reason we are in the game, go out and enjoy every single second. The Lightning women’s side have had a very busy preseason schedule and I would like to welcome all new players and resigned players to the club as we embark on a really special time to be associated with this great club. We also welcome new staff to the programme Ryan Cartledge-Taylor (Lead Strength and Conditioning Coach) Hattie Bates (Lead Nutritionist) and Lauren Hines (Physical Performance Coach and GPS Lead) you have all contributed greatly to our pre-season preparation. We have had some players move on to pastures new and that includes Rosetta Taylor signing for Women’s Championship side Coventry and we wish them ALL the very best in their footballing journey. To the fans, I hope you enjoy your jam-packed day of football with us! It’s great to have your support and I hope this continues throughout the season. It would be just fantastic to inspire every young player who is watching on today to chase their dreams of playing football. Our women’s football programme continues to look for both commercial and sponsorship opportunities and if you or someone you know would be interested in sponsoring our programme, please do contact me. The men’s Loughborough team are preparing for their game against Leicester Nirvana on 29th August so please do ensure you get yourself down to the game and carry on your support for Jamie and the scholars. I would like to extend a special welcome to everyone in attendance today from our community partners Loughborough Foxes! I hope all enjoy the game and your opportunity to be a mascot. We also have with us today the Loughborough Foxes Director of Football, Steve Wilkinson, all of your hard work over the last decade and beyond has brought us to days like today, thank you. I would like to extend a special thank you to Harriet Simes, Jo Simpson, Rich Ellis, Ben Aherne, Paige Nuttall, Paige Norris and Kieran Dye. Without your support at Loughborough University today would not be possible. If you are here today, please watch on knowing you all played your part in this fantastic occasion. And finally, from the bottom of my heart I would like to warmly welcome Warren, Louise and the players and staff from Stoke City Women today. When we first mentioned the double header to you, you were all in without hesitation. I have a special place in my heart for this football club, its values and great people. I very much enjoyed my time there. I cannot think of anyone better to share this occasion with, a club who like us understand that the real winner today is football.