STAFFORDSHIRE FA LAUNCH ‘LEVELLING THE SCORE’ IN PARTNERSHIP WITH LEEK BUILDING SOCIETY

On Monday 5 February 2024, Staffordshire Football Association launched an exciting new women & girls’ football project called ‘Levelling The Score’, which is being supported by the Association’s women & girls’ football partner, Leek Building Society. 

Focusing on the recent growth in participation across female football in Staffordshire, Levelling The Score and its strategic pillars will further develop opportunities and attitudes, as we collectively work together to enhance opportunities for female players, coaches, referees, and volunteers.

The initiative aims to connect stakeholders across the female game, acknowledging and recognising everyone’s collective efforts in growing the game, challenging negativity, and celebrating achievements across women & girls’ football in Staffordshire.

Key stakeholders from across the Staffordshire football community were invited to a launch event hosted within the excellent facilities of the Catalyst Building at Staffordshire University, to find out more about the initiative and to also hear from four inspirational guest speakers.

Kerry Davis (former England Lioness), Megan Cann (Sporting Khalsa Women FC), Meg Baldwin (Port Vale Women FC), and Siobhan Hodgetts (FA Women’s High Performance Centre Coach Developer), all spoke passionately about their respective experiences to a captivated audience, followed by a question & answer session hosted by local radio presenter Matilda Newthorpe. 

The ambitions, objectives, and targets for the Levelling The Score project would not be possible without the support of a commercial partner, and Staffordshire FA were delighted to provide the audience with an overview of the valuable support being provided by Leek Building Society, which will have such a positive impact on the female game and local communities across Staffordshire.

Dani Taylor, Football Participation Officer for the Female Pathway at Staffordshire FA: "The launch event for Levelling The Score was an extraordinary event. The passion and experience our guest speakers shared was fantastic and the feedback from those in attendance has really demonstrated both the need and support we have for this project moving forwards. It really feels like the start of something special to help grow the women & girls’ game in our county.”

Ian Blurton, Head of Branch Network and Customer Support at Leek Building Society: “Making a positive difference to our local communities is a key objective for Leek Building Society. We want to partner with local organisations which promote health and wellbeing and reduce inequalities. So, the ambition to grow women and girls’ football across Staffordshire was a perfect fit and we are delighted to be at the forefront of supporting this initiative.”

Off the back of the successful launch, several events have been planned to continue the momentum and really bring to life the Levelling The Score initiative, including: 

• 06/03/24 – Levelling The Score, Workshop 1: ‘Female Friendly Environments’.
• 08/03/24 – #LetGirlsPlay Biggest Ever Football Day 
• 09/04/24 – Women’s Staffordshire Cup Final + Levelling The Score Networking Event.
• 30/04/24 – Girls U16s Staffordshire Cup Final + Levelling The Score, Workshop 2: ‘See it, Be it, Beyond it’.
• 22/05/24 – Levelling The Score, Workshop 3: ‘Tackling Stereotypes’.
• Plus, various Women’s Coach Development Group CPD events. 

For further information on the Levelling The Score project and Women & Girls’ Football initiatives in Staffordshire, please email Dani.Taylor@StaffordshireFA.com.