Story added: 9th March 2026

Schools celebrate International Women's Day 2026

Norwich City Community Sports Foundation marked International Women’s Day 2026 with an exciting day of inspiration and sport at The Nest, welcoming seven secondary schools and more than 70 girls for a celebration of ambition and achievement.

The morning opened with a talk from Women’s Super League referee Alice Parker, who shared her journey from studying with the Foundation to playing for Norwich City Women and, eventually, becoming a fully-qualified referee. She spoke about the resilience and ambition which shaped her career, inspiring all students in the room.

After the talk, the schools took part in different sporting activities aimed to develop teamwork, resilience and communication skills. Our annual International Women’s Day Cup was closely contested, a friendly but competitive tournament that brought smiles and thrills. Hethersett Academy lifted the trophy after a strong run of performances.

Norwich City Women’s player Freya Symonds also made a special appearance at the event. Freya inspired the girls by speaking about her football journey and the challenges she has faced. Freya also presented the International Women’s Day Cup which concluded the day.

The event was delivered as part of the Foundation’s Premier League Inspires and Kicks programmes, which work with KS3 students to raise aspirations, attainment and attendance using the power of Norwich City.