Females volunteering in football in Kent will continue to benefit from networking opportunities, events and a supportive community, thanks to BAE Systems’ continued support of the Kent FA Female Football Forum.

The global defence, aerospace and security company, which has an Electronic Systems site in Rochester, is sponsoring the forum for another year. The collaboration aims to encourage and support women and girls in making a positive impact on football in the county.

Last year, the Female Volunteer Forum held several events that enabled females volunteering in a range of football-related roles to share ideas, develop relationships with like-minded volunteers, celebrate each other’s achievements and feed back to Kent FA about any suggested improvements or support they would benefit from.

This included an International Women’s Day event held at Ashford International Hotel, where BAE Systems Engineering Manager, Pam Wilson, spoke to the group about how both football and engineering have historically been male-dominated areas, the importance of encouraging females into roles in both industries and her own experiences as a coach at Barming Youth Football Club.

Other events last year included an end-of-season celebration at Gillingham Football Club’s Priestfield stadium, an evening at Ballerz at Bluewater and a Christmas Extravaganza.

Through its work with Kent FA, BAE Systems has previously sponsored free weekly kickabout sessions in Kent.

Speaking of this alliance, Jenny Lynskey, Human Resources Director at BAE Systems' Electronic Systems business in Rochester comments: "The growth of women’s football in recent years has been remarkable, and it’s testament to the hard work that the Kent FA has made to provide such a supportive network for women to thrive.”

“We’re incredibly proud to work alongside the Kent FA so that they can grow a network of female volunteers and ensure that the women’s grassroots game continues to be successful for years to come.”

Upcoming Kent FA Female Volunteer Forum events include an International Women’s Day Spectacular, taking place at 7pm on 3 March at Maidstone Village Hotel, and the forum’s End of Season Celebration at Gillingham FC, which will be held at 7pm on 9 May.

To find out more and sign up to join the forum, click here.