Women in Football to drive BUCS and FA’s Women’s Leadership Programme

 

Women in Football, the professional network of more than 12,000 people that supports equality in the game, is partnering with British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) to run the BUCS & FA Women’s Leadership Programme for the next three years.

Launched in 2019, the female leadership programme has had more than 750 women participate and has been instrumentalin supporting and empowering female students who aspire to careers in the football industry and sport.

BUCS had invited bids from potential partners to lead the programme, with Women in Football emerging as thestrongest candidate. A motivating factor for the appointment is Women in Football’s expertise in professional development and its synergy with the programme’s aim to create a network of future leaders with the skills, confidence, and opportunities to thrive.

Women are still under-represented in leadership roles in football and the joint aim is to help redress that balance.

Dan Matthews, BUCS Senior Football Development Manager, said: “Their (Women in Football) passion, expertise, andcommitment to equality are the perfect match for BUCS and the FA. This partnership will ensure students continue to access transformative experiences that shape confident, capable leaders for the future.”

The next leadership course intake is later this year.

Women in Football CEO Yvonne Harrison said: “Given the combined expert knowledge and dedication of WIF, BUCSand the FA, young women joining the programme can be certain of a world-class professional launchpad for theirambitions in the sports industries.”

WIF, BUCS, and the FA emphasised their strong belief that “development, inclusion, and equal access to opportunityare vital in making the sports industries a place where aspiring leaders of any gender can flourish.”