Kick It Out gets behind programme for future female leaders

Friday 30 Sep 2016
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Kick It Out is set to support a new programme to create future female football leaders, which is launching at the Kent Football Association (FA) and K Sports and Social Club in Ditton in October.

The Eighth Wonder programme offers 14 to 20-year-old women a unique opportunity to break into the world of football. Founded by former Kent FA and Gillingham Football Club Head of Marketing and Communications, Charlotte Richardson, the programme aims to create 50 future female leaders of football.

Eighth Wonder begins on Friday 28 October 2016 with a day full of development sessions and workshops to enhance their skills and confidence, under the watchful eye of a host of experienced mentors from across football in Kent.

Hayley Bennett, Kick It Out’s Education Officer, will be delivering a workshop focused around breaking down barriers, empowering participants to be part of the football community and understand the role football serves in contributing to social change.

Following this one-off day of in-depth training and personal development, participants will be placed on a mentoring scheme, providing them with support and guidance to contribute to the volunteer workforce in Kent.

A volunteering placement scheme across the county will see Eighth Wonder participants provided with unique opportunities to obtain experience; whether as a coach, administrator, marketer, journalist or any other role within the game.

As the programme begins to welcome applications for the inaugural day, Charlotte Richardson hopes the opportunity is one many will want to grasp.

“Eighth Wonder is all about instilling self-belief and confidence in young women with ambitions to get involved in football. It’s common knowledge that a number of barriers exist for women in football and this opportunity seeks to provide young women with a truly unique head start on a journey that could take them anywhere.”

The programme is also being supported by the Kent FA, who are hosting the day at their headquarters in Ditton, as well as Kent Sport.

If you are aged 14-20 years old and would like to sign up to take part in the Eighth Wonder programme from 10-4pm on Friday 28 October, please fill in a short form here. 

Please note that there is a £10 charge to attend the event.

You can also learn more by visiting www.eighthwonderprogramme.co.uk, following @eighth_wonder8 on Twitter or by emailing eighthwonderprogramme8@gmail.com.

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Rachel Yankey, former Arsenal Ladies forward
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