'Premier League Changemakers shows how football is a vehicle for empowerment'

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The first-team training ground at Wolverhampton Wanderers was the venue as more than 50 participants from 22 professional football charities came together for the latest Premier League Changemakers celebration event.

Delivered through the national Premier League Kicks and Premier League Inspires programmes, the event involved 14–to-16-year-olds exploring gender equality and career opportunities for women within the football industry.

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They took part in a series of interactive workshops focused on accelerating action, youth voice and gender equality. The workshops, devised to highlight role models and support the development of key leadership skills were led by inspirational women within and beyond the football industry, including PGMOL and FIFA official Nicoleta Bria.

Here's what those taking part made of a memorable day.

Aisha, Crystal Palace

"Premier League Changemakers has been a wonderful experience. I feel like I've just been spending time in my bedroom, on my phone, but I have found something that's beneficial to my future and something that I love doing.

"We've been doing different projects, activities, working together and discussing different stereotypes about women. The most damaging stereotype I've heard is that boys are better than girls, and because I'm a girl, I can't do what you can.

"My dream is to start a business. Maybe it will be in football. That would be really cool. Today I've learned there are so many different opportunities and routes to go down as long as you're curious and you still have that little space for wonder.

"I'll take away from today that you can view pressure as a good thing. It's beneficial in some ways, it can help you grow as a person and help you overcome challenges."

Millie, Southampton

"Being a Premier League Changemaker means I have opportunities that a lot of girls wouldn't have. I feel very lucky.

"I've gone to the stadium, been on tours, met new players and been inspired. Going to events like this allows me to see different people and learn how they went from doing one thing to something completely different. It's inspired me to work a lot harder.

"Being here today opens up a lot of opportunities for lots of different girls that wouldn't have it. The workshops here are fun and interactive.

"It's important to champion girls in football because they're often told that they can't do a lot of things when they can. It's good that they know that someone is supporting them.

"My ambition is to become a footballer. Opportunities like this will help because we heard from some of the speakers who went through a lot of discrimination but they never gave up just because of what people said. That's really important. They have jobs that they love."

Jess Clarke, former England Lioness and Leeds United forward

"I enjoy being a part of these events, making changes and shedding light on diversity. I've come from a decade where we've seen the women's game grow and through my lived experiences, I want to share some insights so we can progress, drive standards and get more girls involved in the game.

"Having discussions and events like this today will generate more opportunities. It's about making it enjoyable for individuals. Football is a vehicle for empowerment. There's so many values and skills we can take away and use in our own lives.

"Getting your voice heard is a powerful mechanism but it's OK to show your vulnerabilities. When you do, that's when you're going to find your core strength. When I've been in places where it's been difficult and I've wanted to give up, speaking to other people, understanding what they've gone through, what they've accomplished, can unify you."

Havin, Tottenham Hotspur

"It's brilliant to be involved in this Premier League Changemakers event because it's showing us how to actually make change. It's an amazing opportunity.

"We've done a lot of presentations and they've showed us how to be involved as a Changemaker from football to life. We've spoken a lot about women's inequality in football and how we can change it and break the stereotypes. I'll take away how to not always listen to others and chase your dreams.

"I've been learning how the people who attended the event have had many setbacks but they achieved their goal, which inspires me to be just like them.

"It was absolutely amazing to hear from professional footballers about how they overcame challenges and made it to the top."

Seraiah, Charlton Athletic

"Being a Premier League Changemaker means that I can show other people that football isn't just about boys. It helps me achieve my ambitions.

"Events like this helps young girls find and use their voices. It shows them what they're capable of and how to overcome difficulties. I want to show others how women's football inspires young women to play and help them overcome their fears of playing football.

"It was fantastic that the role models from the Wolves Women team came out of their training time to speak to us and explain how they got to their position. I was also inspired by Jess Clarke and finding out about where she came from, how she got to her position and what troubles she had to overcome."

Nicole Allison, Worcester City Women FC Owner & CEO

"I have had a varied career and I now own a football club, which is not something I'd expect to have said when I was at school. I grew up just loving football but there weren't really many opportunities to play football or even engage in football in any way.

"One of the big things that drives me now is to try and take down barriers for young girls who want to work in the industry.

"Premier League Changemakers is a brilliant initiative. When I walked into the event I was thinking that I wish that I had this when I was growing up.

"They get to hear from women who work in different roles in football as well as all about the varied career pathways that are on offer. It's really powerful to also learn about what the women have taken on.

"In my career, I didn't have those role models to look up to and think 'she's a football club owner, I want to be that.' A big part of my job is to stand in front of people and say this is what I do, you can be that as well."

Daisy, Fulham

"Being a Premier League Changemaker feels special as it's not an opportunity that everyone gets. Football is quite a male-dominated sport and some girls can give up or have low motivation. The younger you learn, the better.

"My uncle always takes me to my football matches and always supports me while my mum always keeps me going. They are my role models in football.

"I've learned from today that you can do whatever you want, no matter what, as long as you just keep trying and don't give up.

"We've been doing lots of workshops. My favourite was the referees one because I learned that you can block all the negative voices and just listen to the positives. We also met three footballers and they really inspired me not to give up. Even when they get injuries, they keep going.

"By meeting lots of people from all around the country, this event showed me that you can be friends with anyone."

Jess, Everton

"I first got involved with Premier League Changemakers because it's inspiring women.

"Being a part of it means a lot. I love being able to be here, learning stuff and expressing my feelings - I can get my point across. No matter how young or old, or what gender you are, you can do what you want as long as you've got a dream.

"My dream is completely different to football. I would love to be a singer. My aunt Sarah was a big role model for me. She always used to always sing. Unfortunately she passed away and if I ever got to be a singer, it would heal my inner self. I'm going to pursue that dream.

"Being at an event like this helps build my confidence because I have done a lot of speaking. The biggest thing I'll take away is just how nice people were and how I felt like I have shared my thoughts and my experiences comfortably and safely.

"It's so important to me to share my voice as a young woman because it means that other young women and girls who don't get to do events like this can maybe look at me and think that they want to do what I'm doing. I'm going to aspire to be like that."

Hanna, Preston North End

"Being a Premier League Changemaker to me means that I get to inspire other people by what I do and what I have learned at events like this. I've learned that your gender doesn't define you. There are so many people out there who have done great things and that should be looked up to for inspiration.

"My ambitions are to get more confidence in the game and to attend more of these types of events. I get to see different people and it encourages me to be like them. They inspire me a lot.

"The role models here have been talking about their own experience of football and they have taught me that it's OK to make mistakes and have setbacks because you can always come back from it.

"Being here with lots of different girls from all around the country, it makes me feel grateful that I am a part of these opportunities and it also makes me feel empowered that there's lot of other girls doing this... I am not the only one."

About Premier League Changemakers

Premier League Changemakers is a leadership activity for girls and young women participating on the Premier League Kicks and Premier League Inspires programmes.

Funded by the Premier League through the Premier League Charitable Fund, the activity is for 11-to-18-year-olds and is delivered by more than 40 professional football club charities.

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