One of The FA’s ‘game-changer’ objectives from the 2020-24 Grassroots Football Strategy is to ensure that girls have equal access to football, in both schools and clubs. 

The 2022/23 season has seen the recruitment of a team of Equal Game Ambassadors to provide England Football Accredited football clubs with off-field support in creating, maintaining and developing their female offer to ensure there are inclusive, safe and accessible opportunities available for all girls.

This role is in line to the new ‘Equal Game’ training programme which will be delivered by CFA’s across the country. The training is designed to help club volunteers to be motivated, knowledgeable, confident and capable to develop more club-based opportunities for women and girls to play, coach and volunteer.

For more information and to access The FA's free toolkit, follow this link: https://www.englandfootball.com/participate/leagues-and-clubs/Female-Football-at-Your-Club

Introducing Tom Rimmer

Tom has been part of the football workforce for a number of years in Worcestershire. Starting off in our youth council set up, he has progressed up to Vice Chairman of a grassroots club. Over the years, he has dedicated many volunteer hours to the progression of female football in the local area and has extensive knowledge of the game.

We spoke to Tom about his new appointment…

What roles within football do you currently hold?

I have been involved in coaching football in Worcestershire for over 10 years, coaching girls, boys, adults and players with SEN/physical disabilities. Currently, I coach female players aged 4-16 on a weekly basis in a club setting. In addition, I am currently Vice Chairman of a large grassroots football club within the County.

Simply put, what does an Equal Game look like to you?

An equal game for me sees local clubs with as many opportunities for girls to play football as there are for boys, at all levels and age groups. 

What help and guidance can clubs expect from you for the duration of this season?

I'd like to support clubs to better understand how their club may currently be invertedly inadvertently off-putting to a female participant. I'd like to help clubs to implement a girls section where one does not exist and develop those that do. I'd like to bring clubs together to share best practice and work together to increase female participation within the County! 

For any further information on Equal Game Training, and to express your interest in working with Tom at your club to help grow female provision, please contact Louise Mylles on Louise.Mylles@worcestershirefa.com