Women's Raise Your Game conference 2017

It's that time of year again, the 'kick it out, raise your game' conference. Held at the most amazing and inspiring of location, which is the Ethiad Stadium, home of Manchester City. The conference is there to attract all type of females regardless of ethnicity, background, job role or qualifications to either get involved in job roles in football, be inspired or gain advice and guidance on how to excel in your chosen football career path, or there to see what opportunities and options are out there. Therefore, it's pretty much open to any female who has a interest and passion for football.

Throughout the day, you wont be bored. There is everything on offer to attend from Media and career workshops, to one to one sessions, followed by a general talk of leading women already in top roles within football. The workshops are a great way to extend your knowledge on how to get involved, what you need to do to be involved in football and then a summary of the stories from the speakers of there job role and how they got to where they are now. These are all about learning and listening to people who are already in the jobs they want to be in so a great way to inspire the next generation and brilliant way to gain extensive knowledge in how to thrive within the world of football. 

The one to one session are of course a lot more intimate then the workshops, as you get the chance to speak one on one to the leading professional in a variety of career paths. This is your opportunity to not ony ask every question under the roof, but being a opportunitiest and telling them how good you are as well, as there are constantly jobs arising and you never know they could be on the look out for someone! 

The days agenda provides so much relevant information and fantastic opportunities to lean you towards a career path or maybe even eliminate career path that maybe aren't as up your street as you initially thought, both technically as good as each other. 

Of course, the importance of it being at such an inspiring venue such as the Ethiad, only emphasises what is out there for you in your career and hearing the stories of great panel of leading professionals, that one day were all in your position, looking for there way into the industry. 

In summary, if you're a female looking to get into the football industry in any way, shape or form. This is like LinkedIn but in real life. Leading professionals that are prodominantly there to help you and offer you all the help they can, to hopefully allow you to get in and go far. Or even if you don't get the opportunity to have a one on one chat, like stated previously the workshops are filled with so much advice from a numerous amount of backgrounds, it's so easy to gain great advice and be inspired to fulfill your dreams.

Kick it Out - Women's Raise your Game

Had a great day at 'Birmingham City' today. We were hosted extremely well by the 'Blue's', and were treated to some great presentations;

Marieanne Spacey  - England women's Assistant Manager gave an inspirational talk of her time as a player and her transition to Management. With an obvious passion for football, and a talent for people management, I was blown away by her career, and she has really made me consider coaching as a possibility.

I was lucky to be on a panel sat next to three wonderful 'Women of Football', all giving an amazing talk of their respective jobs.

• Gemma - Sky Sports Producer
• Kirsty - Birmingham City Ladies General Manager
• Vivian - FA Disciplinary

Each wonderful Lady gave a fantastic insight into their careers and their journey to get where they are. Lots of questions came from the floor, which were all answered in a confident and helpful manner. 

I was third in the panel, and after Gemma and Vivian gave such confident presentations, I definatly was nervous. The compare Kelly Somers - Broadcast and multimedia executive, Bournmouth AFC put everyone at ease before we spoke, and her questioning technique was very comfortable. I did my presentation and answered questions from the floor, even raising a couple of laughs - And I loved it!!! No way did I ever think that I would enjoy presenting, but I did. 

A workshop followed by Toby French of 'Careers in Football. A very good presentation, very informative, and a company that can offer lots of support to individuals seeking to work in football. 

Kery's and Corina - two of the Birmingham City Ladies Players visited to give an insight of the new ladies leagues, and what it's like to play and work within it. 

The day included a networking lunch and a couple of coffee breaks, all enabling the attendee's to talk to the mentors or presenters, and gather information from them. 

I loved this day, and loved even more being part of the mentoring / presenting team. I will definitely keep doing these events in the future.

My First Panel!!!!

Excited but Apprehensive about tomorrow.

I'm attending the 'Kick it Out', Womens 'Raise your Game' event, tomorrow (Tues 03 May), which is being held at Birmingham City's ground. #RYG. I've been asked to be a guest on the panel, which I am so chuffed about. Although I am still starting in the Industry, it is all about inspiring others to follow in your footsteps, and helping them along the way. If I can help one person tomorrow, it will be great.

The only dilemma is;

What to wear??? being a fashionista, I know I am going to spend a couple of hours tonight going through my wardrobe, doing a fashion show for my family (after the Tottenham match obviously).

Kick it Out - Womens RYG

This season’s event for women, who are aspiring to work in the football industry, will see a number of guest speakers and mentors provide information about their own journeys into the sport.

As football’s equality and inclusion organisation, Kick It Out is encouraging more women to explore employment opportunities across all levels of football.

The event, which is free, sees one-to-one mentoring sessions, keynote speeches and a panel discussion.

Troy Townsend, Kick It Out’s Education and Development Manager, said: “The demand to work in the football industry shows no sign of letting up and we’re here to open it up to as many people as possible.

“Those attending get to hear from experienced mentors who give up their time to offer valuable advice and contacts.

Kick it Out - Raise Your Game Conference

If you want to find out about football?

If you want to be involved in football?

Kick it Out - Raise your Game is a conference you really need to go to.

Troy Townsend heads up 'Kick it Out'. Troy is one of the nicest Guy's I have ever met. The effort that him and his team put in to Kick it Out the organisation, along with all the subsidiary events that they get involved in, is immense. They work to better the world of football, to unify everyone, whatever colour, whatever sexuality, whatever age.

The 'Raise Your Game' conference is an absolute 'game-changer'. Troy and his team organise this event at a major stadium. This year was Arsenal, but it's been at Wembley before as well. They arrange for mentors who are at the top of their trade to come to the event, personnel from;

Coaching
Refereeing
Management
Media
Journalism
Gaming
Administration
Medical
Law
Welfare
Agents
Scouts

They arrange for relevant personnel to hold briefing sessions. People such as Guy Mowbray, who spoke about the world of commentating.

They hold mentoring sessions (kind of speed dating). Troys team take time to go through your requirements, hopes and dreams. They then arrange 15 minute one to one;s with the mentors in the field that you want to be in.

The contacts that I have made at this event have been second to none. Some have already helped me over the last year, others have become friends and associate's who are now asking me to be involved in activities.

Last week two people who I met for the first time 2 years ago asked me to be involved in exciting projects (which I will tell you about in the near future). This wouldn't have happened if I hadn't got involved in Kick it Out.

http://www.kickitout.org/raise-your-game/raise-your-game/raise-your-game-2016/