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By Faye Hackwell
AFC Bournemouth Women players joined Her Game Too to promote the campaign, as the club announced it is dedicating the 2024/25 season to the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) theme of ‘women’.
The Cherries have identified the inclusion of women as one of its three key EDI priority areas to focus on over the next decade, and representatives from Her Game Too were invited to have a stand outside the Vitality Stadium ahead of kick-off in AFC Bournemouth’s Premier League fixture against Chelsea at the weekend.
AFC Bournemouth’s Her Game Too Ambassador Livvy Williams was joined by three players from the club’s women’s side, Gemma McGuinness, Kenni Thompson and Daniela Kosinska, and their manager, Steve Cuss, as well as representatives from the club’s Women’s Working Group to interact with supporters at the match.
They handed out Her Game Too merchandise, chatted to supporters about the campaign and fans could have their photos taken with the women’s players and a Her Game Too selfie board.
Livvy said: “The Women's Working Group and I were blown away by the support of everyone involved at the event.
“The atmosphere at the ground was electric and support amongst both the AFC Bournemouth and Chelsea fans was amazing.
“People loved getting involved with the selfie frame and the Her Game Too and AFC Bournemouth-branded badges went down really well.
“It was extra special to have Gemma McGuinness, Kenni Thompson, Daniela Kosinska and Steve Cuss join us and get amongst the fans for photos; promoting from the front line what Her Game Too is all about.
“I am over the moon that the club have dedicated the 2024/25 season to the EDI theme of women.
“I have been watching Bournemouth play at Dean Court for over 30 years and have always felt so comfortable and at home there, so I want everyone else to feel the same and know they are welcome regardless of demographic.
“For the club to make this commitment just shows how passionate we all are about the inclusivity of our football community, and it provides the perfect environment for Her Game Too to flourish.”
Hannah Powis, AFC Bournemouth’s Head of EDI and Engagement, said: “In 2023 we launched our club EDI strategy; work around the strategy has three EDI priority areas which we will focus on over the next 10 years, and one of these priority areas is women.
“In addition, results of our annual supporter survey demonstrated that sexism has become the most-heard form of discrimination at Vitality Stadium.
“In combination, these were the underpinning reasons for our year-long EDI theme of celebrating women.
“We are delighted that this year-long theme presents further opportunities to celebrate our continued partnership with Her Game Too and we look forward to working with the campaign and our Her Game Too Ambassador, Livvy Williams, to enhance the experience of AFC Bournemouth for women.
“As a club, equality, diversity and inclusion is of the upmost importance and we strive to ensure that Vitality Stadium is welcoming and inclusive to everyone.”
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