LEaD ON Participants celebrate Graduation
Last night participants in Cohort 1 of AFC Wimbledon Foundation’s LeaD ON programme celebrated their graduation at Plough Lane, at the end of their 12-week journey.
The LeaD ON programme is a female coaching pathway, supporting women to take their first steps into coaching and inspire the next generation.
We were delighted to be joined by Mary Fitzhenry, the programme funder, and Roxanne Bennett, Sport & Leisure Manager for the London Borough of Merton, for a Q&A about their experiences as women in sport.
They were followed by two of our LeaD ON participants, Jess and Sheila, who discussed their journeys through the programme, what they had learned and the skills they have gained on their journey to becoming inspirational coaches.
Kate Wells, our Senior Officer for Women & Girls, said "We were thrilled to welcome our graduates to Plough Lane to celebrate their achievements, personal growth, and the invaluable lessons they've gained since joining LeaD ON. It was incredible to be joined by special guests and key figures from our local grassroots community, creating fantastic networking opportunities for our participants. For me personally, witnessing the growth in confidence and the deepened understanding of the key skills and values required to become transformational leaders has been truly empowering. I am so excited to continue supporting these individuals on their journeys, ensuring they remain engaged and equipped to make a lasting impact in our local community."
LeaD ON: Project Overview
The AFC Wimbledon Foundation has established a three-tiered strategy to increase the number of female football coaches in Merton and Wandsworth, aiming to inspire and develop the growing number of girls participating in the sport. This initiative already engages 950 women and girls on a weekly basis. The tiered approach is divided into three groups, as follows:
Ages 13-15: Young students interested in joining AFCWF’s girls' football education programmes, seeking insight and leadership experience.
Ages 16-21: Individuals engaged in AFCWF programmes or affiliated partners, aiming to explore a career in coaching.
Ages 18+: Those who have completed their I2CF and wish to pursue meaningful employment as football coaches.