'Play on the Pitch' provides once-in-a-lifetime Wembley experience!
Two volunteers from Cumberland recently travelled down to London for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ‘Play on the Pitch’ at Wembley!
Emma Aimers nominated Kate Smith as part of the England Football Family rewards programme and was shocked to get the news that it was successful, and they were off to Wembley!
Launched in the summer, the England Football Family is designed to reward volunteers in clubs and leagues that make grassroots football great.
Volunteers across Cumberland can register for a chance to receive complimentary England match tickets, bespoke prizes and experiences by clicking HERE. (If you’re already a My England Football member but also volunteer in Grassroots football, register here to receive even more).
Emma Aimers told us how the trip came about:
“Sleep is a luxury these days. During a night of unrest, I came across this Grassroots Award on Facebook. Knowing how hard Kate fights for inclusion for women in football in general, I decided to put down a few words, not thinking for one minute we would have a chance of playing on the pitch at Wembley.
"Imagine my surprise when Kate asked me if I was behind her nomination and the fact that she had won!”
Volunteers make grassroots football happen, and this is certainly true in Kate’s case...
Kate has been a driving force behind women’s walking football in the county, setting up a weekly session in Workington as well as supporting the Women’s Over 35 programme.
The Walking Football session has developed into a team, with the group becoming the first-ever Cumberland FA affiliated Women’s Walking Football team!
The team, Workington St Josephs, have entered numerous competitions across the country and beyond including the inaugural FA Walking Football Cup. Recently, the team entered Cumberland FA’s Walking Football festival, and along with Carlisle Women, were the first female teams to get involved in the county wide provision.
However, it is not just about entering competitions, Kate’s willingness to develop the sessions has encouraged many women to begin or return to playing football in an environment that is comfortable and welcoming! Kate is also a coach for Workington Juniors U13 Whites.
Emma is also a committed volunteer to Women’s Walking Football and a supporter of the Women’s Over 35 programme across the county. Secretary of Carlisle Women amongst her many roles, Emma is passionate about developing the game for women across Cumberland and beyond!
Cumberland FA’s Football Development Officer, Helen Aitchison, said: “I was delighted to hear of Kate’s nomination for this amazing experience from The FA. The whole experience for Kate and Emma to Play on the Pitch at Wembley is a fantastic reward for their drive, efforts and passion to get more women in Cumberland playing football. As volunteers they give up their time to provide more women with the opportunity to play locally – the fact they have received this reward is fantastic and well deserved!”
The journey down to Wembley was supported by the club sponsor, Kingmoor Consulting of Carlisle.
Emma continued: “From arriving at Wembley Way on the tube to leaving via the players exit, we shared a sense of awe, parading smiles the entire time. Treated like royalty, we were escorted to the priority area where we made our way to the stands and viewed the empty stadium for the first time. Wow!”
The ladies were treated to a warm welcome, with food provided and a quick tour of the stadium took them to the pitch and their first experience of what was in store.
The volunteers were led to their respective changing rooms with the kit laid out, leaving everyone wondering which professional had sat in the seat before them!
Once changed, the volunteers were ready for the tunnel, nerves of steel, their hearts racing, they proudly walked out as a team for the line up and photos.
Emma commented “Once we’d shaken hands, the mascots departed and it was only a whistle between us and a once in a lifetime of 90 minutes on the pitch.
It was an amazing game of football concluding in a penalty shootout. Every player having the chance to score at Wembley. Now the nerves kicked in. Could I admit missing my only chance of scoring - thankfully I didn’t have to worry and both Kate and I went hard to the keeper’s side, scoring from the spot!”
Emma continued: “It was a breathtaking, awesome experience, one never to forget! Kate and I will be forever grateful to the FA staff who work tirelessly to ensure everyone has a chance to shine, including women.
“It’s a huge honour to have received such an amazing reward for the volunteer work I do in football for both the youth and adult teams. It’s never a hardship giving my time to a sport I adore and starting a brand new Ladies Walking Football team in Workington, and going to Wembley, have been the highlight of my year! With this team established we can now offer women, and future generations of women, from West Cumbria the chance to play walking football for a long time to come!”
Volunteers from Cumberland can sign up to the England Football Family and unlock access to rewards for individuals as well as their club or league. Find out more HERE
“Since starting I’ve lost 4 stone, now reversed my diabetes and no longer require any insulin or medication. I have made so many new friends, taken up walking football, participated in various competitions, increased my socialising, developed my positive mental attitude and supported others. Also my overall fitness has improved, so it’s been pretty positive I’d say!”
If you’re unsure whether playing football in this environment is for you – we’d urge you to give it a go. Contact Helen.Aitchison@CumberlandFA.com for more information.
More details on Walking Football across Cumberland can be found HERE
For more information on the Women’s Over 35s programme, please click HERE
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