After the success of the Lionesses at Euro 2022, the Community Trust are keen to capitalise on the opportunity as a country and use this landmark achievement to increase participation within women’s football across Chesterfield and the surrounding areas.
Alyss Jackson, who is the women and girls’ inclusion officer at the Trust, believes that this moment will significantly help the women’s game. She said: “I think this can only do one thing, it can only really improve the standards that the women’s game has.
“It can only increase participation, help the standards and improve the entire game in my opinion. I think the only way is up from here for the women’s game as a whole.
“I’m extremely proud of what the women achieved at the Euros. Thinking back to the opportunities when I was a young girl there was hardly anything. Whereas now there’s lots of opportunities for these young girls to get involved and now there will be even more.
“In a way I’m kind of envious really. I guess my way of giving back is through the coaching now and helping the young ones come through.”
She also touched on how important it is for the Trust to use the current momentum in the women’s game to increase participation in women’s football in Chesterfield, saying: “It has to start now, we have to do it now.
“We have to look to what we can do to expand, how we can improve and how can we keep pushing to really increase the participation numbers.”
There are also number of different opportunities that are currently on offer for the women of Chesterfield.
“We have lots going on already, we have the women’s walking football sessions that are for ladies ages 40+,” Alyss said.
“We also have our academy set up for girls aged 15+. This is more of an elite pathway for girls that are really interested in improving within the sport and play for a team.
“There are also many more opportunities. Just head to our website or email me for any more information.
“You can even head down to the HUB and just ask someone for the information, we’re welcoming and always smiling so feel free to come down and ask!”
For more information, please visit: https://spireitestrust.org.uk
Alternatively, please email: alyssjackson@spireitestrust.org.uk
