Grays Athletic host Barking at Parkside this afternoon, and it's a very important day on the pitch- but an important one off it, too.
Between 11 and 1 The Offside Trust, an organisation run by survivors of sexual abuse in sport and dedicated to safeguarding children, are running a workshop for coaches and volunteers on the subject of abuse in football- how to spot it and report effectively. After the session they will remain for the match, enabling them to discuss and highlight the subject with supporters at the game. If you are involved in the game, at whatever level, or you have children who play, please seek them out.
Alongside the fabulous work of the Offside Trust the club are also celebrating International Women's Day. The Women and Girls sides at the club will be centre stage, training on the pitch before the game, with the little Wildcats leading the teams out and the Under 13 and Under 14 sides providing a guard of honour. Then at half time all of the clubs female volunteers and players will participate in a commemorative photograph to commemorate female influence at the club. They will also each receive a small gift- and no, it won't be three points from Barking!
The club have also invited several local girls teams from outside the club as guests, to show the importance of female fans which coincides their work with #HerGameToo.
We hope that everyone has a wonderful day.
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