Birmingham City Ladies will become the first FA WSL team to host a Just a Ball Game? event day.
The FA Women’s Super League (WSL) table toppers Birmingham City Ladies FC have agreed to be the first elite ladies team to host one of our Just a Ball Game? (JBG?) event days when they entertain league newcomers Manchester City Ladies at home on 29th June 2014.
“This is a huge step forward in helping to raise the profile of the campaign work we do, and we would like to thank BCLFC in being the first WSL team to take this forward.” – JBG? female co-chair Ann Morgan.
Before the game supporters attending the game will be able to view a section of our ever extending pop-up exhibition, pick up some of our resources and have their photos taken with JBG? mascot Castro, who will also be in attendance.
The club have agreed to fly a rainbow flag for the game and all other home games following to show their support and inclusion of an Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community, and in doing so become only the 4th club in the UK to do so alongside Bradford City, Hyde FC and AFC Rushden & Diamonds.
“Many of the women and young girls who play the game identify as being LGBT and this is a great statement for BCLFC to take on board and visibly recognise our community showing acceptance and respect which is all we can ask for,” says JBG? founder Lindsay England. She continued, “We already have Manchester City keeper Andie Worrall,(who was voted LGBT Role Model of the Year 2013) signed up as one of our patrons, and several months ago we were approached by a group of friends in the Manchester area who love playing football and they have now become our official JBG? Ladies Futsal Team, the only out and proud LGBT Futsal team in the country , so it would be great to think that this event day to raise awareness around LGBT issues and challenge what is seen as homophobia or anti-gay will only inspire more teams to be involved with our campaign work.”
Blues Ladies captain Karen Carney had this to say about teaming up with JBG? to host the event day, “We are excited about our upcoming fixture against Manchester City and it is also a fantastic opportunity to raise awareness of the campaign work that “Just a Ball Game?” do. It is important that they continue highlighting diversity within football and putting a stop to homophobia at grass roots level and through to the professional game. “
The game will be played at BCLFC home ground, Solihull Moors Autotech Stadium with a 2pm kick off.
