Justin Tomlinson MP Calls For Better Training & Opportunities For Female Coaches In Football

Local MP Justin Tomlinson has given his support for the Betfair Fairer Game campaign, which aims to promote better training and opportunities for female coaches in football.

Justin met North Swindon resident Kerry Walklett who has been successfully chosen as one of the 50 coaches Betfair is funding to complete their UEFA B licence, with the long-term goal of increasing the number of women at the top of the coaching pyramid.

Kerry, a Stratton resident who plays for Reading, plays an important role with Swindon Supermarine's community room.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “It was a pleasure to meet Kerry who will soon undergo training for her UEFA B licence. I wholly support this initiative to level the playing field for women in football and in sport more generally. I'm also delighted that Kerry is playing an important role locally at Swindon Supermarine.”

Naomi Totten, Spokesperson for Betfair, said: “I am delighted that Justin Tomlinson has announced their support for the Betfair Fairer Game campaign, which seeks to challenge the gender disparity for women in football. We hope that by working together we will see increasing numbers of women coaching both women’s and men’s football”.

Rachel Yankey OBE, former Arsenal & England player and ambassador for Betfair’s Fairer Game, said: “This campaign is a huge leap in the right direction for women in football and I am really excited to see so much positive support from MPs for such an important issue. The 50 women who were selected are a real credit to women within the industry and their drive and determination to succeed is truly inspiring.”