I still remember my first day, walking into the John Jenkins Stadium for my very first meeting with the Moneyfields Women’s team. I was nervous but excited. What was supposed to be a 45-minute chat turned into a two-hour brainstorming session - full of energy, passion, and ideas about how we could grow fan engagement. It was clear from the start: this wasn’t just an internship. It was the beginning of something bigger.
As someone who’s always had a passion for sport, I am eager to gain hands-on experience and grow both professionally and personally. Studying Sport Management in my final year at the University of Portsmouth, I was excited to apply my knowledge into a real-world environment where I could bring fresh, creative ideas and learn from others who shared the same drive.
What I didn’t expect was how invested I’d become in the people, the passion, and the potential of a club like Moneyfields. From helping design fan engagement strategies and promoting fixtures, to collaborating with the FA Women’s National League (WNL) and FanfareSport, this role has allowed me to blend creativity with meaningful impact.
One of the most valuable aspects of this journey has been hearing other people’s stories - how they got to where they are, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. I’ve picked up so many practical tips and tricks just by listening and asking questions. It’s been incredibly inspiring.
A standout moment for me was attending a fan engagement workshop led by Gemma Avery from FanfareSport. We focused on how to improve the matchday experience, build real connections through social media, and use data to grow a loyal fanbase. I left the session inspired and full of ideas. It showed me just how powerful fan engagement can be when it’s embedded throughout every part of the club.
But we didn’t stop there. We put those ideas into action. We revamped how we promoted matches, began building stronger relationships with local schools, and developed a more consistent and welcoming digital presence. The results? Attendance and engagement began to rise, matchdays felt more vibrant, and we started seeing new faces become regular fans.
Moneyfields gave me and the student fan engagement team a rare level of creative control. We were trusted with front line responsibilities and real decision-making power, doing hands-on work that truly made us feel like a vital part of the team.
I’ve also had the privilege of representing Moneyfields on a national scale. Speaking at the FA WNL Commercial and Marketing Webinar and attending the Club Development Day were huge milestones for me. Sharing ideas alongside clubs like Derby County and Lewes made me realise how far I’ve come, and how far we’ve come as a club.
Working with the club’s fan engagement team and FA consultant Zoe Wishman has been a real eye-opener. Her experience with The FA and UEFA helped us think bigger, especially around commercial growth and long-term strategy. Her key advice? Start small, plan long-term, and always come back to your “why.”
If I could offer one piece of advice to anyone considering a similar role, it’s this: don’t wait to be ready. Dive in. Be curious. Talk to everyone, coaches, players, volunteers, fans, because teamwork is what brings ideas to life. Every skill I’ve developed, leadership, communication, adaptability came from saying yes, even when I wasn’t sure how I’d make it work.
Make the most of every opportunity. You get out what you put in.
Moneyfields has shown me that fan engagement isn’t just about banners or tweets - it’s about creating a space where people feel like they belong. That’s what keeps them coming back. And that’s what I’m proud to be helping build.
A huge part of what made this internship so valuable was the team I got to work with. Special thanks to:
- Karl Watson - Manager
- Stuart Barker - Head of Media
- Hannah Humphries – First Team Head Coach
- The Fan Engagement Student Team – fellow students who made the experience really enjoyable.