After a historic week in Welsh football, mentees and mentors of year three of the BE. Football Mentoring Programme came together to celebrate their amazing achievements with guests from FAW including Rhian Wilkinson, Sport Wales, BBC and other key stakeholders.
The BE. Football Mentoring Programme supports women aged 18+ to progress their careers in football through one-to-one mentoring and a variety of workshops and work experience opportunities.
This year 16 mentees and 16 mentors participated in the programme which aims to build participants’ confidence and aid their progression in football while developing the skills required to achieve their full potential. Mentees can include those who are interested in starting their first job in football or those looking to progress to a more senior role on or off the pitch.
The group of mentees and mentors kickstarted the day reflecting on their journeys over the past nine months. Following on from last year, mentees were again set a challenge to overcome their fears of networking by meeting with three professionals with the winner taking home a signed Women’s National Team shirt.
Winner, Anne-Marie Withers impressed the room with her networking skills and the impact she’d been able to make in a short time.
Anne-Marie shared her discussions with ITV staff Elin Llyr, Public Affairs and Andrea Byrne, ITV presenter, Rob Franklin, FAW Senior Grassroots Coach Education Manager and James Davies, GB Athletics Osteopath and STAMMA patron. The group were impressed by her determination to make a difference. Anne-Marie supported both the FAW and ITV staff she’d networked with by creating guides to support interviewing or coaching people who experience stammers to make football more inclusive and welcoming.
Afterwards, the mentees undertook Jess Magness’ presentation workshop to prepare themselves for their afternoon task. Meanwhile, the mentors reflected on their own individual journeys with Claire Ewing of Pause Play Perform.
After lunch, once the visitors had settled ready for a busy afternoon Rhian Wilkinson was welcomed into the room with an applause before talking about her own experience of being a leader and reflecting on the past week with saw Cymru secure their first ever EURO 2025 qualification.
Finally, each mentee shared the highs and lows of their individual journeys and learnings from the programme with their ‘My Journey’ presentations. With some aspiring to be coaches, others CEO’s and Media professionals they shared their experiences of shadowing Cymru National team matches and working on international camps. Other experiences included commentating and presenting live on Wrexham’s league games, coffees with CEOs and more.
“I’ve grown so much as a person in the last nine months and everyone I know has said that to me, I’m so thrilled to be a part of such an amazing programme” said Mia Roberts during her presentation.
Emily Poole Communications Executive at Bristol City said “This programme has made me flourish and just be who I am”.
To close the day mentors took the time to stand up and share their own learnings on the programme Gayle Penn, FAW Club Developer said: “This programme has helped me find out what I am passionate about and what I can give to other people.”
Speaking to guest Rhian Wilkinson fresh off the back of EURO 2025 qualification she said:
“I can’t speak highly enough about it, days like this are difference-makers, I felt so empowered listening to so many young people at the beginning of their careers, and I am so excited to see where they are going to go.”
Looking forward to a EUROS next summer Rhian emphasised the importance of using the platform to capitalise on a legacy elevating women in football across the game:
“My team are already legacy builders, it will inspire a lot of young girls to get involved in football but equally I hope it inspires a lot of women to want to work in football and give their talent back to the game.
“We need more visibility of women in the game because we don’t see enough and it is a game for everyone and we need to demonstrate how many opportunities there are for women to be in football.”
Interesting in joining the BE. Football Mentoring programme? Applications for year four of the programme open in 2025!
