March 9, 2023
Wigan Athletic Community Trust marked International Women's Day by hosting a Festival of Female Empowerment at Wigan Youth Zone.
The event invited a plethora of female participants from the Community Trust's programmes, including PL Kicks, PL Inspires, Divert and Extra Time Hub to attend and take part in the event.
The festival was opened by one of Trust's #PLKicks Mental Health Ambassadors, Gemma, who explained the themes and importance of the event before beginning a Q&A with the festival's guest speakers.
The guest speakers included some sporting heroes from across the region, including Olympian and Wigan Athletic Community Trust trustee Jenny Meadows, British gymnast Alice Leaper, Wigan Warriors' Rachel Thompson and the Lancashire FA's Women's Recreational Football Officer Katie Wells.
Conducting the Q&A were two PL Kicks participants Maddie and Alyssa, who are also involved in the Trust's Football and Education programme.
The pair asked some fantastic questions to the guest speakers, including asking about their roles models, the representation of women in the media and any advice they had for aspiring athletes in the audience.
Speaking after the event, Jenny Meadows said, “It was really great because we had young people asking the four panellists questions all on the theme of being a woman in the sporting industry and what sort of challenges and barriers we've faced during our careers.
“There were some really good messages there, you know, never doubt yourself, have that belief, you're not going through life alone.
“Hopefully, they can cast their minds back and actually think, you know what? No, I'm going to push through those barriers.
“It really felt like a celebratory event.”
Following the conclusion of the Q&A, participants were then treated to some amazing celebratory dance performances from the Trust's PL Kicks Dance team and an exceptional performance from the Extra Time over 55s Cheerleading squad.
Participants were then invited to network and mingle with the partner organisations at the event, including Wigan Athletic, Wigan Warriors, Wigan Youth Zone, Wigan Family Welfare, #ItsNotOkay and Aspiring futures.
The event was organised by a host of Community Trust staff, including PL Kicks Manager Rachel Wood, Inclusion Officer Chloe Lawless and Youth Engagement Officer Libby Parkinson.
To find out more about the event, please contact PL Kicks Manager Rachel Wood by emailing r.wood@wiganathletic.com.
By Wigan Athletic
