Sarah wants mentees to go for Gould at this year’s #RYG

Monday 27 Apr 2015
Back to news >

Sarah Gould is one of over 90 mentors that will be offering advice and insight to over 300 mentees at this year’s Raise Your Game conference, taking place at the Woolwich Suite at Emirates Stadium.

Sarah is Customer Services Manager at Birmingham City FC and this will be her first conference. In an exclusive blog for Kick It Out, Sarah explains her role at the Blues as well as offering her advice to mentees ahead of the mentoring conference on Tuesday 28 April.

“I feel very privileged to be asked to be a mentor at Kick It Out’s Raise Your Game conference. It’s a new experience for me and it is going to be great to offer support and guidance to people who are looking to make a career pathway in football. As well as that it is a fantastic opportunity to network and meet people from other football clubs.

“I’ve worked in football for 12 seasons and I feel that is a long time in the industry, with my career dramatically changing through that time. I started off in football as a secretary and now I am the lead in customer services, so I believe I have a wealth of experience that I can offer to mentees in attendance.

“I am currently Customer Services Manager at Birmingham City FC. It’s a very busy role where I head up the department that deals with all the enquiries made to the club. I’m available to all members of the club including supporters because my role is to ensure that everything in relation to our customers is dealt with. Part of the role is to also make sure that our supporters are fully informed about the latest on goings at the club as well.

“Every single day of being in football is completely different, it’s not a 9-5 job, if you want a career in football you are going to have to put the hours in. There are a lot of times when you will be working late into the evening and then back in the office first thing the next morning. It’s about making people aware of what jobs they’re planning to go in to because there is no other industry like it.

“But I will be also trying to get the message across that it is an amazing industry to work in and it’s certainly worth pursuing a career. But they must be aware that the hours are long and dedication is required to make a success of it.

“We are quite unique in the way we employ people at Birmingham City FC in that we don’t go through a recruitment agency. People interested in joining the club in any capacity can go on to our website and see all of our vacancies. We don’t make it hard for people to apply for our jobs.

“Recently as part of our work with Kick It Out towards our Equality Standard, we recently did a recruitment drive in a supermarket situated close to the ground. As daft as that sounds, a supermarket can be at the hub of the local community with everyone going there to do their shopping, so it can be a great place to recruit.

“Off the back of that we’ve managed to take on several staff who have helped with the operation of running successful matchdays. I think that is something that a football club wouldn’t normally do but for us it shows that we are inclusive and look to actively engage with the community.

“I would recommend any mentee attending the conference to do lots of research on their ideal role within football and what it takes to make it in the industry.

“It’s such a fast-paced environment and I think it’s important that people know that you can’t sit back and twiddle your thumbs and you are always going to be busy. But if you are willing to put in the hours I would recommend anyone to get involved in this industry because it’s fantastic and the opportunities to achieve are second to none.”

Report an incident of discrimination confidentiallymore >

 

  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
"We have a responsibility as players to give something back and I’m really thankful to be part of this organisation because we can do a lot of good."
Jack Butland, 'Next 20' Ambassador
“A big part of my involvement with Kick It Out stems from my strong admiration for the organisation’s commitment to fairness and equality.”
Clive Tyldesley, football commentator
“It was Kick It Out that convinced the people in football that change was possible.”
Greg Dyke, former FA chairman
“I wanted to thank the campaigners at Kick It Out for their work. I know first-hand how Kick It Out can help.”
Yaya Toure, Manchester City midfielder
“It is important for me in my role as a Kick It Out ‘Next 20’ ambassador to teach young people how to handle discrimination and treat people with respect.”
Romelu Lukaku, 'Next 20' Ambassador
“It is a massive honour for me to be an ambassador for such a great organisation. I think they do great work on and off the field.”
Toni Duggan, 'Next 20' Ambassador
"It really helped me to see that other professional sports people were acknowledging their sexuality. I read about John Amaechi, Gareth Thomas and Tom Daley. They weren't footballers but the fact that they went public gave me the feeling that I was not alone."
Thomas Hitzlsperger, former Aston Villa midfielder
"There was no conflict between religion and the fact that I wanted to play football. I was brought up correctly and in the right way and my parents are very proud of the fact that I am a professional footballer."
Sadio Mané, Liverpool winger
“I think it’s important to share success stories and realise that there are women operating in the game. If it’s something you want to do, you can do it.”
Ffion Eade, Hampshire FA referee
"I've had loads of negative comments from men, especially growing up. It's just boring and old. Times have changed, and they continue to change. Women play football, and they're good at it, and have been for a number of years.”
Kelly Smith, England Women's record goalscorer
"Despite the progress, stereotypes still exist in football and until that is broken down it will be extremely difficult for a woman to manage a top level men's team."
Rachel Yankey, former Arsenal Ladies forward
"There’s no hiding that there is sexism in sport. We have a lack of women right across all levels of management, playing and coaching. It shows the closed nature of sport in general and this includes the media. It’s an indictment of sport as a whole."
Rimla Akhtar, Kick It Out trustee and Chair of the Muslim Women’s Sports Foundation
“I’m proud to be a supporter of Kick It Out and particularly the work they are doing to combat antisemitism within football.”
Joe Jacobson, Wycombe Wanderers midfielder
"With Kick It Out leading the way football is standing up and fighting against those who preach hatred and intolerance and we at Chelsea are proud to support their work."
Bruce Buck, Chelsea Football Club Chairman

Archives

  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010