City of Gloucester WFC promotes inclusivity and strength in women's sports
The club want to be part of changing the narrative when it comes to women in sports
This week a controversial advert for a sports betting site faced huge criticism. The advertisement starring American actress Sydney Sweeny was accused of presenting women in sports in a sexualised way.
Charlotte Eakers is chair of City of Gloucester WFC, she coaches the U14s team and is a mum of four.
She says the messaging we put in front of young girls really matters.
''It infuriated me a little bit because women have been fighting for so long to get noticed and recognised.''
''The Lionesses, the England Rugby Roses as well, the positivity that's come from that. It's not about image, it's not about what they look like.
It's about how they're using their bodies to do the sports they love and show that their bodies are just as capable as what men's bodies are doing.''
Charlotte added, ''I've had a conversation with my daughters this week about it, I sat down with my children and said, that's not how sports should be portrayed. That's not the real life.''
City of Gloucester WFC will have been running for 30 years next year. They have 15 teams across the club. From under 7s all the way up to under 16s in their youth division.
Their ladies first team have recently been promoted to division one. Also, part of the City of Gloucester WFC community is their walking ladies football team.
The club are passionate about creating positive female role models at every level. They work hard to have as many female coaches, volunteers, committee members, players and leaders as possible.
City of Gloucester WFC are a community driven club that encourages young players to build confidence, work as a team and have fun playing the game they love.
Charlotte says its not about looks and the coaches encourage players to focus on being the best players they can be.
She said, ''What I try to say is, you're not here to look good. When you come to a training session or play football, you're here to do that. You're here to play football.''
City of Gloucester WFC have always been female club up until this year when they welcomed a new under 8s boy's squad. This team was created because younger siblings were keen to get involved and wear the same kit as their sisters.
''They walk with pride and it's really nice to see'' Charlotte said.
''They don’t think they're any better than the girls. They stand on the side line and cheer the girls on just as much as the girls are cheering them on.''
The team are based at Wingate in Tuffley Park. They currently only have a small unit, but are hoping to secure a clubhouse to support future growth.
Charlotte has three daughters and a son who now plays for the team. She said being part of a squad teaches young people valuable life skills and allows them to be part of a tight knit community.
''They're not there because they have to be there, like at school. They are there because they all want to play football. They all have a passion and that's the same across all sports.''
''My eldest daughter's in the under 16s now, she started when she was 5. She's got friends there she's made for life.''
The community that make up City of Gloucester WFC stand for inclusivity, teamwork and community values. They want to promote strength and a passion for the sport.
They understand the responsibility to consider the impact of the messages put out there and recognise an opportunity to shape how the next generation of girls and boys see women in sports.
Charlotte said, ''Whether it's in the club, whether it's with my daughters, I will just keep doing that, trying to make sure that females and girls believe that they can achieve whatever they want to achieve.''
''If there's a barrier in the way, just use it as a hurdle and you're going to get over that hurdle.''