ClubLFC Women help kick off Reds' International Women's Day celebrations
To celebrate International Women's Day 2023, Liverpool FC is hosting a range of events and activities throughout March to showcase inspirational female talent and examine the barriers that still exist for women in sport.
As part of the club's continued efforts within its Red Together campaign and activities, LFC Women's Natasha Dowie and Gemma Bonner met with two young Academy players at the beginning of their professional careers to talk about their love of the game, the challenges they have overcome as players and the importance of positive role models.
Speaking on female stereotypes as a youngster, Bonner said: "When I was younger, I never wanted to tell people that I played football. I was always quite embarrassed to say that I played football.
"It was probably in my early 20s that I was like, 'No, I'm actually proud to say that I'm a female footballer.'"
Providing a source of inspiration and encouragement to the young players, Bonner and Dowie presented them both with a signed shirt as a thank you.
Dowie added: "When you support the club, it means more. Even when you put the kit on, it just has a feeling about it – it feels so special."
You can watch Gemma and Natasha's conversation in the video at the top of the page.
LFC will also welcome another successful female athlete to Anfield next week to host an exclusive event. British Olympic medal-winning athlete Anyika Onuora will host an audience with LFC staff to discuss her personal and professional journey to date as a successful black sportswoman, as well as the abuse and racism she has had to overcome in her career.
LFC Foundation is launching a new female employability programme today – Works – that will aim to unlock the potential of females aspiring to gain further education or employment at LFC and beyond. The programme will improve self-esteem and support females to become more confident and competitive when entering the job market.
Bonner and Leighanne Robe are both ambassadors for the new programme and will lend their support to inspire and motivate others.
The charity will also relaunch the award-winning She Inspires football programme this summer alongside other partners. She Inspires offers girls the opportunity to gain skills on the pitch and complete a fully funded FA referees course and introduction to coaching football.
In addition, LFC Foundation will take part in the Female Empowerment Sports Festival, which is part of the Biggest Ever Football Session campaign, in partnership with Anfield Sports and Community Centre, providing girls with pathways into sport.
LFC Women players will also feature in various activities with club partners, including Vista and Expedia, focusing on the themes of female entrepreneurship and the continued success of women's football in 2023.
To find out more about LFC's Red Together work, go here.