Women and Girls' Strategy - One Year On

WOMEN AND GIRLS’

ONE YEAR ON

LEAD

PARTNER

FOREWORD

London Biggin Hill Airport is delighted to announce it has become the lead partner for the Bromley Football Club Community Trust’s Women & Girls’ Community Provision. The initiative, launched in 2022, aims to increase female participation in football within the Bromley community.

The Bromley Football Club Community Trust has already made significant strides to ensuring football is accessible to all, encouraging a clear and inclusive pathway for anyone who wants to start playing, both recreationally and competitively, whilst empowering strong community leaders.

Football for women and girls has been on a journey. With many twists and turns, the landscape is starting to change for the better. That is why I am honoured to have joined Bromley FC Community Trust which shares both my passion and vision for football being inclusive and accessible to everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience.

At the Trust we need to challenge the norm. Our aim is for our provision to reflect women and girls’ appetite for football, whether it be competitive, recreational, or from the side lines. We want women and girls to not only have their first experience with us but enjoy it and remain with us throughout their football journey. The strategy shows that there are already foundations in place, but we know that this is just the start. With our vision, we are determined to increase female participation in football, not only within the club but also across our community and inspire more women and girls.

Andrea Ellis Head of Women and Girls

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“Last year, Bromley FC Community Trust launched its first Women and Girls’ Strategy. The targets, although ambitious, signalled a clear plan to build on existing provisions and continue to increase female participation in football.

A year on, we are proud to announce an update on the progress we have made to meeting these targets with a significant increase in all areas of the game; from participation to female coaches.

The work does not stop here though. Over the next 12 months we aim to create even more opportunities for women and girl’s to be involved with football. We would not be able to do this though without the support of our local partners, and would like to take this opportunity to thank our lead partner, London Biggin Hill Airport as they continue to support us in promoting football for all.

Matt Hall Head of Community

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FOREWORD

Football has the ability to change lives. Wherever you are from, whatever age you are, whether you play, coach or spectate – it can be a vehicle for positive change. Not only does it improve our physical wellbeing, but also our mental wellbeing. The sense of belonging and purpose can touch all those involved.

“ London Biggin Hill Airport is passionate about being a good neighbour, so we are proud to support the Trust as it breaks down barriers and creates opportunities for women and girls of every age and background. This is an ethos shared by the Airport, which aims to inspire young people who may not have considered a career in aviation or engineering, through our work with STEM outreach, Futures Week and work experience. Both sport and aviation share values of teamwork, communication and dedication, so we hope our synergy and continued partnership with Bromley FC Community Trust will enable us to create more opportunities, diversity and inclusivity, both in our local community and wider industries.

David Winstanley - Biggin Hill Airport CEO

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Football for women and girls has been on a journey. With many twists and turns, the landscape is starting to change for the better.

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FOOTBALL FOR ALL

New football opportunities provided through Women’s Walking Football 01 02

Introduction of ‘Football for Absolute Beginners’ programme for women new to football

Hosted four recreational festivals engaging with over 400 women aged over 30

Recreational and competitive pathway extended from age 18 months to 60+

Introduction of girls ‘ only camps which run every school holiday

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COACHING

All coaches within the club delivering sessions have completed at least the Level 1/ ‘Introduction to Coaching Football’ qualification. Some community coaches have acquired their UEFA C or even UEFA B Licence. At present CPD rests with the individual coaches, though the Trust plans to put structured CPD in place in the near future.

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Part-Funded 3 coaches to take their Introduction to Coaching Football Qualification, supported by the 100 FC FA programme

Recruited and mentored two coaches from the Bromley FC Girls’ Academy who now run Girls’ Community Sessions and Girls’ Holiday Club

Supported 3 participants from female programmes to complete entry level coaching qualifications.

Coaching network introduced to support those females new to coaching

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COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Opened 3 new all girls football after school clubs

Partnered with Her Game Too and completed a Female Fan Survey

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Delivered community events including Women’s FA Cup Day, Christmas Community Party, International Women’s Day Celebration, Let Girls Play and Big Football Day to mark the start of the Women’s World Cup

Engaged with local stakeholders including Bromley Council, Primary and Secondary schools and attended events including three High Street Fests and Bromley’s ‘Tackling Loneliness’ Conference

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