Richard Luscombe International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
Here at the Argyle Community Trust, we have a long and proud history of supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in our communities across Plymouth, Devon and Cornwall. We are proud to support International Women’s Day, and of the work we do in supporting women and girls’ physical and mental health in the region.
Argyle Community Trust CEO Mark Lovell adds: “We are proud of the support we provide all members of the communities we serve. On International Women’s Day, we honour the women and girls we support with the provisions we have in the South West.”
The below programmes are currently being provided for women and girls with the aim of making a lasting and positive impact on women’s lives across the region.
PL changemakers
The 12-month pilot project is funded by the Premier League, PLCF and Sport Relief to support girls and young women aged 11 to 18 in the city. The Trust was chosen as a delivery partner for the programme which aims to develop personal skills and positive attitudes towards leadership.
The focus of the project is on leadership skills and qualities, improving engagement, gender equality and improved mental health, and will empower the female participants to complete a social action challenge of their choice.
The core themes of delivery include mental health, wellbeing, self-identity, confidence and self-esteem, empowerment and leadership, resilience, role models and allyship, educational attainment, career development, social action, community, leadership, and body image. Sessions are delivered through a mixture of training, youth voice, social action, sport and physical activity, workshops, and mentorship.
https://argylecommunitytrust.co.uk/pl-changemakers-leadership-programme-for-girls-young-women/
If you are a secondary school, contact alice.young@pafc.co.uk for more information.
PL Kicks girls-only sessions
We run girls-only sessions of the Premier Leagues’ flagship community engagement programme at Stoke Damerel Community College on Mondays from 3-4 pm and Eggbuckland Community College on Wednesdays from 3:30-4:30 pm.
PL Kicks uses the power of football and other sports to create safer, stronger and more respectful communities by developing young people’s potential.
https://www.premierleague.com/communities/programmes/community-programmes/pl-kicks
These sessions are term time only and girls have to attend those schools to take part.
Contact alice.young@pafc.co.uk for more information.
Girls only soccer roadshows
As part of our hugely successful school holiday roadshows, we offer girls-only roadshows where girls of all abilities have the chance to learn new skills, make new friends and really feel part of the football community. These sessions are in place to shatter any lingering preconceptions about women’s and girls’ football and boost participation whilst learning skills and technique and playing small-sided games.
Keep checking the trust website for details of our roadshows, the next of which will be our action-packed Easter programme https://argylecommunitytrust.co.uk/
Football Fans in Training (FIT FANS)
FIT FANS uses interest in football to attract females aged 35-65 to a free 12-week healthy lifestyle programme delivered by coaching staff at their local professional football club community trust. FIT FANS is proven to help people achieve significant long-term improvements in weight loss, physical activity, diet and psychological wellbeing. FIT FANS has evidenced a direct impact on many of the greatest contributors to premature death, obesity, poor diet, high blood pressure and lack of activity.
The free 12-week programme is delivered by Argyle Community Trust at Home Park where you will meet fans just like you, who want to lose weight. You’ll go behind the scenes at your club, learn about healthy eating and take part in an exercise programme. New cohorts start in January, May and September with the female programme taking place on Thursday nights between 6.30 pm – 8 pm.
The main aims of the programme are to:
- Reduce your weight and waistline
- Improve your eating habits
- Cut down on alcohol
- Increase your activity levels – one step at a time!
- Support fellow Argyle fans to stay on track
In order to qualify to take part, participants must be aged between 35-65, have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28 or above, and a waist measurement of over 31 inches (female).
For more information, or to register your interest, please email will.hickey@pafc.co.uk, or visit https://www.efltrust.com/fitfans/
We have continued to support Plymouth Argyle Women this season with an increased package of support alongside the football club https://www.pafc.co.uk/news/argyle-women-boosted-club-support.
This season the players have had all their administration and participation costs funded by the club, travelled on the first team coach to away fixtures, had pre/post-match meals provided to them and had medical care through our partners Nuffield Health.
We have also seen the appointment of new background staff, including a new physio, S&C coach and a media team to support the club.
Argyle Women play nearly every Sunday and are in action this weekend as they take on relegation rivals Chichester & Selsey at Manadon Sports & Community Hub on Sunday. Kick-off is at 14:30 and tickets cost just £3. Tickets can be purchased online here https://www.eticketing.co.uk/pafc/EDP/Event/Index/2437
We also have the Plymouth Argyle Women’s Under 23’s who provide a direct player pathway to the women’s first team. The under 23’s play at home on alternate Sundays at Manadon Sports & Community Hub. Tickets are available on the gate for £3.
Female football player pathway
We have a hugely successful and thriving female player pathway delivering the following in Plymouth:
- 5 girls-only after school clubs in partnership Hooe Primary Academy, Wembury Primary School, Montpelier Primary School, Shakespeare Primary School, Stowford School, and Manadon Vale Primary school. These are turn-up-and-play sessions for students of the respective schools and costs are dependent on the school.
- 2 Wildcats centres at Manadon Sports & Community Hub on Saturdays and Wembury Primary School on Mondays. These are turn up and play sessions for ages 5-11 and cost £3 per session.
- 2 Girls only player development centres at Stoke Damerel Community College and Ivybridge Rugby Club. These are open to girls aged 8-14 that play in a team to give them additional training during term time. Cost depends on the length of the term.
- We have a girls academy (ADC) which has the following age groups – U10’s, 11’s, 12’s, 14’s, 15’s and U16’s which is invite only with open trials taking place in the summer.
- Girls Post 16 Football Education Programme is designed to bridge the gap between under 16 and adult football. We are recruiting for the September 2022 programme now.
For more information on any of our girls’ player pathways please email ryan.perks@pafc.co.uk
We have had many success stories through our pathway including:
- 8 players over the last 16 months progressing from our player pathway into our under 23’s or 1st Team.
- 1 under 16 player selected for the England under 16 squad and is currently away in Portugal playing against the Portugal and Germany national teams.
- 2 girls from our pathway selected for the next England Talent ID training camp for under 15’s and both players have been selected for England School girls at under 15’s.
- 5 players identified to work at the women’s high-performance centre at Marjons, and they are being monitored by England.
- Argyle academy player Mia Endacott was recently chosen as the Premier League Kicks ‘Local Legend’ as the community programme marked its 15 year anniversary.
FA England Women’s Talent Pathway
Young females in Plymouth are also given greater opportunities through the FA England Women’s Talent Pathway as we announced our involvement in the newly expanded Talent Inclusion Programme with the FA and 33 other EFL Club Community Organisations (CCO).
The Talent Inclusion programme ensures that through our existing community activities, female participants can be identified and referred to the FA England Women’s Talent Pathway. Social class, ethnicity and demographics should not be a barrier to success.
For girls showing potential, the programme creates a pathway from community to full England honours, with an educated workforce that identifies and supports potential.
We will be supported by an education and learning programme managed by the EFL Trust and supported by The FA.
#IWD2022 #BreakTheBias
