“A big day for many teams across the club” – Arsenal’s all-female teams encourage more girls to break into football

"A big day for many teams across the club" - Arsenal's all-female teams encourage more girls to break into football

For the very first time in Women's Super League (WSL) history, Arsenal's matchday grounds and tech operations were run by all-female teams during Sunday's 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in a sold-out Emirates Stadium.

The all-female teams were also joined by senior women who led Arsenal's safety, security, and stewarding operations for the match.

It comes as research from the Grounds Management Association suggests that only 2% of the grounds management sector, which is responsible for maintaining the nation's pitches, is female. Research from techUK also suggests that only one in four tech roles in the UK are filled by women.

Ahead of International Women's Day this Friday (March 8), Arsenal's teams shared their experiences on breaking into traditionally male-dominated professions, in the hope of encouraging more young girls to pursue a career in the game.

"I've been in IT for over 25 years now. When I first came in, there were very few women in the industry," said Joceline Davis, Arsenal's IT Service Improvement Manager, one of the six-strong all-female tech team working the North London Derby on Sunday.

"There's a lot more roles out there than you think there are. There's a lot of opportunity out there. I hope that moments like this serve as inspiration to young girls looking to get into sport and technology."

Being part of the first ever all-female tech team was "very inspiring", for Jo-Anne Plumley, Arsenal's Technology Project Delivery Manager. "I'm incredibly proud to be part of the all-female staff. We're one of the leaders in terms of women's football and for me, inclusion at Arsenal is all about the equal opportunities that both teams receive."

Working in collaboration with the Barclays WSL, Grounds Management Association, and Women in Football, a team of 13 women also ran the grounds management for the game on Sunday.

Arsenal groundsperson, Tara Sandford, has always wanted to break into the game, and hopes Sunday's initiative will encourage more girls to follow her path.

"I knew when I was little that I didn't want a job where I was stationary. I knew I wanted to be out, doing something practical. I loved football, and doing this job all makes sense. But what I've wanted for so long now is to have another female alongside me. I think it's nice to have that female presence around the club."

Tara issued a rallying call for young girls looking to break into the industry. "I think apprenticeships are a really good way to get into this industry. Sign up for courses, get your name out there."

Bobbie Murphy is one of those apprentices, and also works for Arsenal grounds team. She added, "it was a bit daunting being full of men. But with Tara there, it eased me in a little. I knew I could go to her for anything."

"I think it's really important to get more women involved so the team grows, and you can have people from all different backgrounds."

Vinai Venkatesham, Arsenal's Chief Executive, welcomed the all-female teams and said, "I am incredibly proud that we were able to celebrate a win on Sunday in front of a sell-out crowd, and with the women in our Arsenal family taking the lead."

"The drive for change exists throughout our Club, and reflects our people's determination to push boundaries within the game.

"This is a celebration of what's been achieved for women in sport, but also serves as a reminder of the work we need to do together to ensure more young girls are encouraged to break into the game. It's important we continue to build on these moments to inspire the next generation, and grow the game sustainably."

Arsenal's all-female tech team consisted of:

• Joceline Daves (IT Service Improvement Manager)
• Emma Stone (Innovation Manager)
• Jo-Anne Plumley (Technology Project Delivery Manager)
• Zoe Mthupha (Technical Service Analyst)
• Nadine Williams (Technical Service Analyst)
• Lacey Mae Panetta (IT Administrator)

The all-female groundstaff was an initiative led by the Barclays WSL in collaboration with the Grounds Management Association, Women in Football, and Arsenal. The team was made up of different groundspeople across the country, including:

• Tara Sandford (Groundsperson at Arsenal)
• Bobbie Murphy (Apprentice Groundsperson at Arsenal)
• Alexia Doughty (Apprentice Groundsperson at Stratford Sports Club)
• Beth Gibbs (Groundsperson at Wellington School)
• Carlie Lambert (Apprentice Groundsperson for Worcestershire County Cricket Club)
• Emily Geach (Volunteer Groundsperson at Boconnoc Cricket Club and Tormarton Cricket Club)
• Georgie Grimes (Groundsperson for The FA at St George's Park)
• Jasmine Nicholls (Groundsperson for Yorkshire County Cricket Club)
• Liddy Ford (Groundsperson for The FA at St George's Park)
• Meg Lay (Groundsperson at Lord's, Marylebone Cricket Club)
• Phoebe Taylorson (Apprentice Groundperson at Middlesbrough Football Club)
• Rachel Hunter-Worrall (Groundperson at Queen Ethelburga's School in York)
• Zibby Parker (Part time Groundsperson at Ipswich Town FC and Essex County Cricket Club)

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