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TEAM
EMILY DRAKELEY
Director and Ambassador
Birmingham City FC
HELENA BANKS
Ambassador
Birmingham City FC
CLAIRE GIBLIN
Advocate
Birmingham City FC
GEORGIA BUTLER
Advocate
Birmingham City FC
MELISSA BENNETT
Advocate
Birmingham City FC
ELLIE YATES
Advocate
Birmingham City Women FC
OUR STORY
A timeline of events
MARCH 2022
Birmingham City FC announced the partnership with Her Game Too on International Women’s Day 2022 pledging to support female Birmingham City fans and the local community.
Birmingham City have been fantastic in supporting us with any ideas we have and promoting what we want to achieve – and the partnership is always evolving.
“For me, it was really important for my club to get involved and support the women and girls in our fan base. Growing up I never really felt a part of a football family until I came to Birmingham City, where I felt welcomed with open arms, and where I found my football home. I’m so proud that this club want to support women like me and make us feel like we have a place in this world of football” – Emily Drakeley, Director & Ambassador
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"It has been an honour to be part of such an important movement in football. St Andrews is my home and I am so grateful for the support offered to us by the club and all within. I am looking forward to continuing our work and inspiring the next generation of young girls into falling in love with the blues, just like I did myself" - Helena Banks, Ambassador
HER GAME TOO AT
ST ANDREWS
After the initiation of the partnership on International Women’s Day, Birmingham City assured support at St Andrews Stadium through displaying posters with the Her Game Too report line around the ground and implementing a text number for fans to report abuse to, which is displayed in partnership with Her Game Too in the programme and on the big screens.
Birmingham City also furthered their support by providing free sanitary products to all fans, players and staff with access to the stadium through the Aunt Flow Solution from Citron Hygiene.
The club have donated 4 free tickets every game to young girls and their families within the community – which is a fantastic incentive from the club to increase diversity and promote football within the younger generations!
DEDICATED FIXTURE 2022
The first Birmingham City dedicated fixture was held on 15th March 2022. The Her Game Too message was displayed on the giant screen to increase fan awareness, there was an awareness campaign in the programme, and Ambassador Emily conducted speeches in the corporate boxes on the campaign.
The next dedicated fixture is planned for April 2023, and will be bigger and better, with more opportunities for young girls and fans to get involved in raising awareness for the Her Game Too message!
BCFC WOMEN
Emily and Helena were invited by the BCFC Women’s Manager Darren Carter to watch the Women’s Team train at Wast Hills. Both team members spoke to the First Team squad and got a deeper understanding as to what players experience being women within football and the challenges in comparison to the men.
Darren Carter actively reached out to the campaign to get the team involved and has invited the team back again in the future.
GUARD OF HONOUR
HGT x BCFC have been involved in helping support young girls through giving them the opportunity to be a part of the Guard of Honour at various Birmingham City games through funding from local businesses such as LoveBrum, Lightbox, Esmé’s Essentials, Mr Airborne and Tilton Talk Show.
BCFC IN THE COMMUNITY
HGT x BCFC work tirelessly with BCFC In the Community to support and raise awareness for women in sport and inclusivity. Ambassador Helena completed a presentation in front of the group on the campaign message and regularly visits Wildcats sessions to make young girls aware of the support they have from the campaign. HGT x BCFC also are supporting the BCFC In the Community dedicated fixtures.
BIRMINGHAM FA
The team are partnered with the Birmingham FA and are in talks surrounding what is available for girls in the wider Birmingham area, how we can promote inclusivity within sport at the FA Level and what challenges they are facing.
GRASSROOTS
The team are extending their support and Her Game Too message to the local community and have partnered with a number of grassroots clubs who they are looking to partner with. The aim is to gain a profounder understanding of the issues at grassroots level and what as a campaign can we do to assist, as well as do our best to offer opportunities and create relationships.
