On Saturday 12th October, I graduated from the Women’s Leadership Programme with BUCS and the FA. I feel so privileged to have been involved in this programme, and I genuinely do believe it has changed my life. I will forever be grateful for the amazing cohort I experienced this with, and for my incredible accelerator group, in Sarah Humphreys and Ella Williams. This experience has given me so much confidence and knowledge and has allowed me to push myself into a career working in football. The day of graduation filled me with so much excitement, the same feeling I got during all 3 residentials. It was such a surreal evening, and one I certainly did not want to end! Speaking to my cohort and hearing what they are doing and what they have already achieved, just within that year was incredible; being surrounded by such likeminded individuals is a feeling I will never forget. Looking back on my first residential, during the previous cohort’s graduation, I spoke to many participants, and I could only wish of being as successful as them, in the football industry. Now, fast forward to a year after, during my own graduation, I took some time to myself to reflect on how far I really had come. I am now someone who I once aspired to be, and I think that shows how powerful the programme is. Being able to go on stage and celebrate everyone on my cohort really was emotional, and I feel so immensely proud to be a part of it. Graduation day showed me that hard work that you can put into yourself, really does pay off and it really does make a difference.
Before graduating, however, it wasn’t all straight forward. I found myself at a bit of a pause. I had finished University, and I hadn’t found my feet yet. I had the opportunity of attending an Employability Day and I didn’t realise how much of an impact this day would have on me. This day consisted of how to write a cover letter, a CV and how to really sell yourself in both of these and during an interview, which is something I have always struggled with. Sitting down and thoroughly going through these was so beneficial to me. I took on board all of the radically candid feedback and recreated my CV into now something I am proud of attaching to a job application. Before this, I hadn’t had much of an experience of writing a cover letter or how to answer those longer answer questions in a job application, but I am so grateful for everyone on that day, for helping me to understand how to do this to show me in the best light. The mock interview practice I had helped me to relax and to understand how best to answer questions. To do this in such a safe, yet professional environment really helped to allow the best version of myself to shine. I am proof that WLP and the employability day really does work, as not long after this, I was successful in a job application and an interview which has led me into my current position at Leicestershire & Rutland County FA. I would push all alumni to attend this day, regardless of where you are in your career. These are the type of skills that are ever-growing and the support you receive is so helpful.
WLP gave me the confidence to apply for the job I am in now, where a year ago I would have scrolled away from it, simply due to the lack of belief in myself and my ability. It showed me that women can work in football! I am proud to say that I am the Competitions Coordinator at Leicestershire & Rutland County FA. I have been in this role for nearly 3 months, and I have grown massively and learned so much already. Working in football is all I have ever wanted to do, and I am so grateful that I am able to do this right at the start of my career. My team at LRCFA are so supportive and welcoming and I am so lucky to be a part of it. My job allows me to work in County Cups, which was always my favourite games to play growing up. It is so lovely to be able to give the opportunity to so many people to play in the County Cups. I am really excited to keep learning and to continue my career in football. Recently, I attended an event through my County FA, and I wanted to share a quote which I heard from this as it has stuck with me ever since. ‘A winner is just a loser who tried one more time.’ This shows that no matter how stuck or lost you may feel, never give up on where you want to be.
I just want to again thank those people who make it happen. The accelerators, we definitely couldn’t do this without your support, feedback and encouragement and the same with my cohort, the belief we have in each other shone through and I am so grateful for this. And finally, to Maddie Massey, Dan Matthews and Selena Creighton, thank you again for letting me be a part of this, I will forever be in debt to this programme! I just want to end on my favourite message from WLP “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?”