Story added: 15th March 2024

International Women's Day at The Nest

On Friday 8th March, over 130 girls from local high schools arrived at The Nest to take part in a day of enthralling tournament football and engaging workshops.

The day kicked off with our students being split into two large groups, with half taking to the turf for a series of team building activities and the rest remaining indoors for an array of International Women’s Day themed challenges and quizzes, centred around inspirational female role models and idols.

The team of girls indoors were tasked with writing down what empowers them and then linking these inspirational motives back to the fore mentioned role models.

The girls were also presented with talks from four special guest speakers. Zoe Webber, Norwich City’s Executive Director, joined Anglian Home Improvements’ Chief Marketing Officer Rachael Munby to share their stories and the journey they embarked on to find themselves in their present-day job roles. Both Zoe and Rachael also discussed their own inspirational role models, and the importance of pursuing your goals.

Their speeches were followed by a Q&A session from Team GB Rugby player Georgie Lingham, and Head of Foundation Phase Recruitment at Norwich City Football Club, Carla Dickinson.

In the afternoon, all 130 students took to the pitches for an afternoon of 7-a-side tournament football, with the much-coveted International Women’s Day trophy up for grabs!

There was some stunning goals and superb saves en-route to the final, which saw Taverham take on Dereham Neatherd. In a game that went right to the final seconds, it was Taverham who clinched victory with a wonderful solo strike.

The award ceremony was hosted by Norwich City Women players Rachel Lawrence and Lauren Hailes, who, as well presenting Taverham with their trophy, were on hand to award one deserving student with the ‘Most Influential Female’ prize for their hard work and dedication throughout the day.

There were smiles on every face come the end of the day, and our thanks and gratitude must be expressed to the amazing Schools team here at the Foundation, who without such events wouldn’t be possible.

To find out more about inspiring the next generation in your school, visit our Premier League Inspires page.