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#WhatIf Berks & Bucks FA provided 21 local females with dedicated funding & mentoring to support their journeys in football up until the UEFA Women's Euro 2021?

We’re delighted to announce that Berks & Bucks FA have added their support to Women in Football's #WhatIf movement with this fantastic pledge.

Twenty one women from Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas will have the opportunity to receive specialist funding and mentoring to support their journeys in football in a two year programme leading up to the UEFA Women's Euro 2021.

21 For 21 will provide dedicated support for female players, coaches, match officials or committee members within Milton Keynes and will run from July 2019 to July 2021 to correspond with the start of the European tournament on Sunday 11 July 2021.

The programme looks to help overcome some of the key barriers to sustained participation in women’s football, specifically in relation to lack of support and funding.  21 For 21 aims to tackle this through dedicated individual support; helping more females to remain in the game whilst creating additional role models for local women and girls wishing to start their own journeys in football.

Berks & Bucks FA, Women’s & Girls’ Football Development Officer, Ellen Hopkins, said: “The landscape for the female game and for women in football is really exciting at the moment, and, as the governing body of the sport covering Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas we’re committed to helping support women and girls’ football to thrive at a local level.

“Having a host city for the Women’s Euros in 2021 in our region is a fantastic opportunity to promote the game locally. This initiative will see us support twenty one females, each finding their way in football and being with them for every step of the journey; helping, supporting and celebrate their successes along the way.”

As well as dedicated funding and support, each successful applicant  will receive a branded Nike kit and equipment including tracksuit, drinks bottle and bag as well as up to £150 of kit and equipment from Discount Football Kits or FA Official Stores.

Each applicant will also be entitled to up to £150 off registrations fees (annual club fees, referee or coach registration) and up to £200 off the cost of any Berks & Bucks FA run FA Education Course.

Women in Football, CEO, Jane Purdon, said: "This is an incredible opportunity for women in the region. It highlights the power of the Women in Football #WhatIf campaign and the positive impact it can have in providing opportunities for girls and women in football.

"We're delighted Berks & Bucks FA can see the value of our campaign and are supporting it in such a proactive way."

Ellen added, “We know one of the main barriers to participation is funding so if we can provide financial support as well as individual mentoring support to females in the programme then hopefully we can make a real difference to the future of the sport in Milton Keynes and help local women remain involved in the sport they love for years to come.” 

Additionally, as the programme comes to a close in July 2021, the culmination of two years hard work will be met with an invitation to attend a EURO 2021 group stage match, hosted at Stadium MK, to celebrate the groups’ joint successes together and to hopefully look forward to a bright future in football for each participant.

How to apply

You must be a female player, coach, match official or committee member, live within a 15 mile radius of Stadium MK and be part of a Berks & Bucks FA affiliated Club or League.

Download the application form here.

Download the application criteria here.

Download the boundary application detail here.

For more information about the BBFA 21 For 21 Project please contact Berks & Berks FA Women’s & Girls’ Football Development Officer, Ellen Hopkins on 01235558450 or via email at the following address Development@Berks-BucksFA.com.

The deadline for applications is Sunday 7 July 2019 (Women’s World Cup Final Day). All candidates will be notified by Wednesday 31 July 2019 as to whether their application has been successful or not.

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