The inaugural cohort of the Women in Leadership Programme (WIL) has taken place with 12 candidates from across 9 different clubs. One of the strategic priorities of the Women’s Strategy, the WIL Programme has aimed to close the ‘confidence gap’ and challenge the biases that might be holding women back from pursuing a career or leadership roles in football. It is designed to create a leadership community of women who can increase both their personal and organisational impact, further capability, and leadership across all aspects of football.

Gillian Patterson thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Women in Leadership Programme, “the course provided a number of really valuable leadership tools and insights to not only help me perform more effectively within my club environment but also clarity around some longer-term career goals.”

Patterson comments on the group being a safe space where we could challenge ourselves and each other,  “this was a really inspiring group; I learnt so much from their journeys in football and look forward to keeping in touch.”

Patterson also sees the potential of this programme impacting clubs in the future, “there was a noticeable growth in confidence and energy within the group from the start to the finish of the four days. Each of the participants are now applying what they’ve learnt, undertaking football-related projects. However, this is just the first step. I think the value to the clubs will be the ongoing growth of this network of women, who are passionate about football, keen to keep developing their leadership skills, and with the support of each other have the confidence to have a positive impact in their clubs.”

In attending the WIL Programme, Trysh Murphy-Dally realised how much she has to offer. “It’s all too easy to doubt your strengths, but the course enabled you to recognise and appreciate what you offer to the football community and wider; and to recognise the same in others – and that’s where the collective value lies in the networks built. We can all feel like an imposter sometimes, regardless of the role we play in our clubs and community; the programme helps you realise you don’t need to feel this way, and provides meaningful and practical tools for when you do.”

Murphy-Dally calls on other women to “clear your diary and your mind as much as you can before attending the course and really embrace the learning it provides. We are all so busy ‘doing’, but this is an opportunity for personal growth that will benefit you, and women’s football! How often do we get the chance to focus on being a stronger, more confident version of us? Relish the opportunity!”

Capital Football congratulates the 2022 cohort of the Women in Leadership Programme and wish them every success.

Information for a new cohort in 2023 will be released in due course.

Women in Leadership Programme 2022 Graduates

Catherine Davis                 Lower Hutt

Gillian Vincent                   Miramar Rangers

Katie Lewis                          Lower Hutt/Upper Hutt College

Shannon Smith                  CF Referees & Clubs

Sophie Smith                      Wellington United

Tracey Hodge                     Miramar Rangers

Tracy Nyhan                       Kapiti Coast United

Trysh Murphy-Dally         Eastbourne

Rachel Woodhall              North Wellington

Gillian Patterson               Upper Hutt

Laurel Smith                       Victoria University

Lucy Armitage                    Wellington United / Wellington Girls College

Article added: Monday 10 October 2022