INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY AT LUCTONIANS

As a community club, it’s important for us to celebrate everyone involved in our organisation. On Saturday, March 8th, we will recognise International Women’s Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, and cultural achievements of women. At Luctonians, we are fortunate to have a large number of women actively contributing to our club.

This year’s theme is #AcclerateAction, which focuses on the importance of taking swift and decisive action to achieve gender equality. International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate women’s successes, challenge discrimination, and share knowledge and encouragement. From grassroots groups to large corporations, everyone must do their part.

Here at Luctonians, we take our role seriously and can specifically focus on the following areas:

• Supporting women and girls in leadership and decision-making roles
• Helping women and girls make informed decisions about their health
• Elevating women and girls’ participation and achievement in sport

This week, we spoke with some of the women from across the club to gather their opinions on the above topics and to recognise how their hard work is positively influencing the club and our community.

Charlotte Brown, the club’s Commercial and Events Manager, believes that establishing equal opportunities is essential for ensuring that women feel supported in leadership roles, but are also willing to step into them. “Women must have a seat at the table. This isn’t just about participating in sports; women need equal opportunities to be at the forefront of the decision-making. With a club as big as Luctonians we have to ensure that every voice is being heard.’  In addition to holding these roles, women need to push through the glass ceiling and be role models for the younger generation.  ‘Not only are you representing yourself, but you are also showcasing to younger generations what is possible and how it can be achieved.’

A large number of the women involved in our club are volunteers and have numerous roles across the club, they are an invaluable resource to the club. Anika Brown, who is our Mini and Junior Fixture Secretary and a Vice President of the club, commented that ‘When Women are involved in Community Clubs, they bring a different dynamic and way of thinking, which makes the club a balanced community.’ We have to take our role within the community seriously and utilise our platform to support women and girls in whichever path they wish to take.

From a sporting perspective, we must utilise our reach and community to promote the positive impact that sports can have on women’s and girls’ mental and physical health.

Kat Neill, who is a coach for our Girls Rugby section, volunteers because she understands the importance that sport can have in a Girl’s life. ‘Young people have stresses from School, friendship and at times their home life, Sports provides them with a space to decompress, release some of the stress and leave training/game feeling happier and lighter.’  

We are all aware that in the past Women and Girls are often more likely to step away from sports due to outside pressures, and as a club, we have to provide them the space and setting to fight these pressures. The benefits they get from playing sports are not only seen on the field.

Mel Mumford, who coordinates our Junior and Senior rounders sections, became involved in sports because she understands the importance that it can have on your Mental Health. ‘Sport can help with self-confidence which helps with anxiety and mental health and enables them to socialise and meet new people while having fun and exercising.’

As culture and society change, we are seeing the interest in Women’s and Girls sports increase. You don’t have to look any further than the England Women’s Football and Rugby Teams, and we mustn’t forget our very on Luctonian Lark Atkin-Davis, who is doing incredible things for the Women’s game.

We should utilise our platform to elevate the Women and Girls who are achieving great things in their chosen sport. Cerys Kenhard is the Head of Medical for Luctonians and the Sports Therapist for our Senior Teams. She has seen first hand the number of Women and girls now involved in our club. ‘It is amazing to see just how many girls are playing and training multiple times a week and enjoying rugby. It is great to see how far they can go in their sport and watch as they get selected for bigger things.  

Sarah Lamonby, our Development Officer for Women’s and Girls Rugby is tasked with ensuring that Women and Girls understand the opportunities that are out there and how they can grab them with both hands.  Sarah has a real passion for sport, and believes it is important that Women are involved in any aspect. ‘Female sport, in particular rugby, is growing rapidly and girls are now having more opportunity to play to a high level. We need to continue to encourage the younger generation to be involved and stick with sport as it has so many long-term benefits.’ She is also a big believer in making sure Women take time for themselves and  ‘As a mum of two young girls and having a busy home/work life sport is more important for me now than it ever has been, it gives me time to do something for me at the same time as showing my girls that females can do anything they set their minds to. I want them to grow up and know that anything is possible regardless of their gender.’

As a club, we are so incredibly lucky to have a huge number of Women and Girls involved in our great club and we should be extremely proud of the work that they do. We must also remember the women who came before us and those who will join in the future. Together, we will continue to work hard to ensure that women and girls are celebrated, supported and elevated here at Luctonians.

For more information on the Women and Girls sports that we offer, head to their sports pages.