St Mary’s is proud to announce that we are now an official Women & Girls Chartered Club. We join the Northern Football Netball League (NFNL) and a growing number of clubs who are also signatories to the charter.
The Women & Girls Community Football Charter is an initiative led by the AFL, which sets a clear standard for creating welcoming, safe and inclusive environments across community football for women and girls.
The Charter represents a shared commitment from leagues, clubs and umpire groups to actively support and grow the women’s and girls’ game. It is guided by four key principles:
- Investment – committing time, resources and support to sustain long-term growth
- Opportunity – creating more chances for women and girls to play, coach and lead
- Visibility – increasing the presence and recognition of women and girls in football
- Access – removing barriers to participation at all levels
As part of the Charter, we will implement a series of immediate actions designed to create meaningful impact straight away, while also working through broader commitments over the next 12 months. To remain a signatory, the club will review and reassess its progress annually, ensuring continued accountability and improvement.
Jessie Bickerton, Women’s Football Manager, shared: “This is a really meaningful moment for our club. We’re committed to creating a space where every woman and girl feels welcomed, supported and genuinely valued, and where they can grow, belong and thrive in our community.”
We’re proud to stand alongside the AFL and our fellow community clubs in driving meaningful change and shaping the future of women’s and girls’ football.
SMFNC 