At a time when women’s sport is building its profile and winning more viewers, a Schools’ Officer from Surrey has won a prestigious award at a ceremony recognising those who have made significant contributions to the development of girls’ football.
The Barclays Girls Football Partnership (BGFP) in Surrey is one of 150 across the England which together cover around 12,500 schools, from ages 4 and up. The Partnership was established to give girls the same chances to experience football that readily exist for boys, with the aim of ensuring equal access by 2024.
Sarah Williams is a Schools Lead Officer for Active Surrey, but thanks to her footballing passion is also the Strategic Lead for the Girls Football Partnership in the county. This means she’s responsible for helping to drive an increase in the number of girls playing the ‘beautiful game’ by working with schools and other partners – work that saw her win the title of Outstanding Strategic Influence of Decision Makers and Stakeholders at the recent BGFP Awards.
Sarah’s role as part of the BGFP is about much more than just developing girls’ ability to playing matches - it’s about using this less-traditional female team sport to boost their wellbeing and improve other life skills (one module even gives pupils an insight into marketing by learning to promote the game within their school). A sizeable part of the programme involves signposting teachers to further training and support.
Alongside her duties promoting other sports for Active Surrey, Sarah has been responsible for offering the scheme to every infant, junior, secondary and special school in the county from a standing start two years ago. One of her biggest achievements has been creating a pathway for talented girls to further develop their football which involves Surrey FA, Crystal Palace and Fulham Foundation as well as many local clubs and coaches.
Katherine Mertens, Head of PE at Hoe Valley School in Woking was featured in the video which accompanied Sarah’s nomination, saying “This programme has given the girls opportunity. It has increased their confidence and it’s gone on to inspire others to do the same so not only now are they working harder, but they’re getting better.”
Sarah, who lives near Camberley, commented: “It was wonderful to be nominated for a national award, but to win is a really special moment for me and everyone involved in the partnership. To have been able to continue improving the way girls access the game over the past 18, difficult months is a testament to all partners’ ability to work together, not to mention the schools who are actively involved.
“It is an exciting time for girls’ football, with the UEFA Women’s Euro’s coming to England in 2022 and the national team getting regular TV coverage. With more people now able to watch matches in the Women’s Super League on the BBC and Sky Sports, Surrey’s programme for girls could help develop the stars of the future.”
Surrey schools wanting to find out more about the GFP in the county should visit https://www.activesurrey.com/Schools-Education/Girls-football