WMP Girl's football tournament at police training centre

Описание: A football tournament organised by officers saw around 200 girls from across Birmingham, come together at our Edgbaston training centre today (Sunday 23 February).

The day was all about promoting the positive value of the grassroots game in the lives of women and girls, and giving them direct access to some of the best players in the country.

We're committed to working with and listening to young people across the region. The event gave us the chance to show the girls positive role models in policing and the careers available to them.

One of those who attended was 13-year-old Layla Warren, from Handsworth. She currently plays for a team where she is the only girl after her old club disbanded and says being a female player hasn’t always been easy.

"Football has always been my escape, my therapy, and my source of confidence. No matter what was going on in my life, stepping onto the pitch made everything disappear,” said Layla.

"The game gave me a sense of purpose and control, especially during tough times.”

As well as talent scouts from the region’s clubs, players from the England women’s national football team were there to hand out trophies. The women also brought along the UEFA European Championship trophy to inspire the players, who took selfies with the silverware.

Former Ireland international, West Midlands Police Inspector Jemma Connor-Iommi, who manages the Great British Police National Team, organised the event which was backed by The Premier League, the Football Association, Aston Villa, Birmingham City FC and West Bromwich Albion.

She said: "Everything I am today as a person and as a police officer, I attribute to football and the opportunities I had thanks to the game.

"This initiative is about more than just football. It’s about creating opportunities, fostering inclusion and supporting girls so they can live healthier, happier lives and sport has a major role to play.

"By working with partners across the city we can remove the barriers girls face in football, whether those are practical or financial barriers, unhelpful stereotypes or a lack of visible female role models.

"Many of the players who are coming will never have had access to conventional pathways into football, that’s why they have been invited. We’re hoping many girls will leave having found a new team to be part of, as well as the confidence and support to get to training sessions and games.”

We’d like to thank the West Midlands Violence Reduction Partnership, the West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Birmingham City Council and other partners for their help making the day a huge success.

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