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Today we are celebrating one year since the launch of Her Game Too Cymru.
From match screenings and the introduction of the campaign’s first football training centre, to developing partnerships and enabling South Asian female fans to attend their first live game - it’s been a busy and rewarding first year for the Welsh arm of Her Game Too.
On our first anniversary, we’ve taken the opportunity to look back at some of the highlights of Her Game Too Cymru’s inaugural year:
PARTNERSHIPS GAINED WITH A RANGE OF ORGANISATIONS
One of the key aims of Her Game Too Cymru is to work in collaboration with football clubs, leagues and organisations to promote football as a game for all throughout Wales.
A significant partnership was developed with the top tiers of Welsh football across the men’s and women’s games, as the Football Association of Wales’ Genero Adran Leagues and JD Cymru Leagues became the first national leagues to join the campaign.
Head of Domestic Leagues at the FAW, Jack Sharp said: “We are very proud to be the first national leagues partnered with Her Game Too as we continue to create a Welsh football environment where all fans, players and staff feel respected, supported and visible.
“Our Her Game Too weekend across 8-10 March will provide clubs with the opportunity to showcase their female role models and further engage with their female fanbases, while allowing the campaign to have an impact across the country.
“We look forward to providing Her Game Too with more platforms at key events in our domestic calendar over the next few months.“
Her Game Too Cymru also announced a partnership with Show Racism the Red Card Wales, enabling the two organisations to join forces to strive towards a sporting environment where discrimination is condemned and diversity is celebrated.
Elsewhere, Cardiff City Women showed their support for Her Game Too Cymru by dedicating their fixture against Preston North End to the campaign, while passionate football supporter Hayley Rees became the first Her Game Too Cymru Ambassador of a Welsh domestic club, when her club Ammanford AFC officially partnered with the campaign.
SUPPORT SHOWN BY WELSH FOOTBALL STARS
Cardiff City Women’s full-back Ffion Price and Luton and Wales centre-back Tom Lockyer became the first Her Game Too Cymru Champions, pledging to spread the campaign’s message and encourage equality in football.
Former Wales, Cardiff City and Nottingham Forest striker Robert Earnshaw then also joined the team as a Champion, stating he wanted “to help young girls follow their dreams just like I did”.
SOUTH ASIAN FEMALE FANS ATTEND WALES FIXTURE
Attending your first football match in person is a special occasion for any fan, so Her Game Too Cymru worked in partnership with the Football Association of Wales and South Asian supporters' group, Amar Cymru, to provide free tickets to the Euro 2024 qualifier between Wales and Armenia - enabling a group of South Asian women and their families to experience a live game for the first time.
“We are reassured from days like today that we do fit in” and “I’ve never felt so patriotic in all of my life” were among the testimonials from the women who attended the fixture in June.
The event was such a success that it was followed up with a female-only live screening of the reverse fixture in November, for South Asian women to attend with their children.
This was held at Juboraj restaurant in Rhiwbina, Cardiff, with food, bubble tea and Henna art in conjunction with Amar Cymru.
OPENING OF THE FIRST HER GAME TOO FOOTBALL TRAINING CENTRE
To pursue our ambitions of creating more opportunities for more women and girls to take up football and develop their skills, Her Game Too Cymru joined forces with the Women’s Football Collective to launch the campaign’s first football training centre in Cardiff.
The Her Game Too Training Centre’s sessions are aimed at females of all abilities and have been visited by Wales Women’s goalkeeper Laura O’Sullivan and her Cardiff City Women’s teammate Ffion Price.
Reflecting on the partnership with Her Game Too Cymru, Charlotte Galloway, who is co-founder of the Women’s Football Collective, said: “What’s really impressed me about Her Game Too Cymru has been things like increasing engagement and participation for women and girls from a diverse range of backgrounds - from young girls to older women, and especially in the work with Amar Cymru and getting the top tier leagues in Wales on board.
“They’ve created this really holistic campaign, which is visible no matter how you access football, and I think having that message of “Gêm Hi Hefyd” (Her Game Too) is so important - especially in Wales where female engagement in football is historically lower than in England.
“To get well-known legends of the Welsh game like Robert Earnshaw engaged in the campaign as well has been so impressive.”
HER GAME TOO KIT GIVEAWAY
Caerphilly Dragons Ladies FC were the lucky recipients of a playing kit donated by Her Game Too in a giveaway.
The team was set up in October 2022 to meet demand in the area and many of its players are mums who didn’t have the opportunity to play when they were younger – proving it’s never too late to fall in love with the beautiful game.
Gwyn Roberts, club secretary and Ladies team manager said: "We were absolutely delighted to win the kit from Her Game Too! They look amazing and the ladies love them. It seems to have proved a lucky kit as well as we are currently unbeaten when playing in it!
“We are proud to be able wear (the kit) and promote the Her Game Too organisation and hope we continue to enjoy successes alongside one another.“
TV FAME ON ‘WELCOME TO WREXHAM’
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s Disney+ documentary charting their rollercoaster journey as owners of Wrexham AFC has gained the club a worldwide following and attracted millions of viewers.
Her Game Too Cymru was briefly featured in an episode of ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ which focused on the Wrexham Women’s team battle for promotion and drive to set an attendance record at The Racecourse.
AN EVENING WITH HER GAME TOO CYMRU
Cardiff’s Rummer Tavern pub hosted the inaugural An Evening With Her Game Too Cymru in October.
The event featured a panel discussion focusing on issues relating to sexism, both on and off the pitch, with contributions from Her Game Too Ambassador for Cardiff City Brittany Laing, the Women's Football Collective's Charlotte Galloway, Her Game Too Cymru Champions Ffion Price and Robert Earnshaw and event host, Her Game Too Director Roopa Vyas.
On the evening, Robert Earnshaw opened up about his experiences of growing up in Zambia with a football-playing mother, whose motivation and positive influence played a major factor in his career choice, while other panellists shared their stories of overcoming challenges and pursuing their dreams.
Looking back on a successful first year, Roopa Vyas, Her Game Too Director and Founder of Her Game Too Cymru said: “As Her Game Too Cymru turns one, we reflect on a year filled with remarkable milestones in Welsh football.
“From hosting vibrant match screenings to actively engaging and welcoming South Asian female fans, as well as launching the first ever Her Game Too Training Centre in Cardiff - our journey has been one of inclusivity and community building.
“We've not only witnessed the joy of experiencing the beautiful game together but also created a safe and supportive space where everyone, regardless of background, feels valued and empowered. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our partners, EatSleep Media, who have helped us share what we do with the world by capturing incredible video content.
“Through partnerships with organisations across Wales, including the FAW and Show Racism the Red Card Wales, we’re tackling various forms of discrimination and intersectionality head-on - reaffirming our commitment to fostering diversity, inclusion, and belonging within the Welsh football community.
“As we celebrate this milestone, we look forward to continued collaboration and progress in making football a sport for all.”
