We caught up with Jess ‘Miss Posh’ Weaver this week as part of our EFL Women’s Weekend celebrations.
With Peterborough United taking on Huddersfield Town this evening, today marks our opportunity to join in with the EFL’s Women’s Weekend.
The EFL Women’s Weekend is in line with International Women’s Day (8th March) and is designed to celebrate female supporters whilst also trying to drive attendance among women and girls. It is also a chance to recognise the barriers in women attending fixtures and raise awareness of the work Clubs and Club Community Organisations do to improve things on this front.
Known by most as Miss Posh, Jess is a long standing supporter of Peterborough United Football Club. Now into her twelfth season in the role of Miss Posh, she still finds it as rewarding as the day she began.
“I started watching Peterborough United (the Posh) when I was 10 years old after moving to the area and it was love at first sight. I’ve now been watching Posh 25 years and a season ticket holder for most of that time. In 2010 I was very fortunate to win a competition to be the club’s mascot ‘Miss Posh’ and now in my 12th season in the role which, as a fan, is really rewarding and a huge honour.” Jess said.
Women’s football is the biggest women’s team sport in England, with around three and a half million active female players taking to the pitch. And whilst this is an improvement on the past, there is still more to be done to encourage and enable females to play and be involved in the sport.
But whilst there are over 9,000 female teams currently competing in various leagues around the country, the EFL Women’s Weekend is designed to encourage more than females just playing the game. It is designed to encourage women to work within the game, to have an involvement with their local clubs, county FA’s and local communities, as the push to continue improving female participation in football goes on.
“My experience as a football fan and club mascot has been overwhelmingly positive and most of my favourite ever memories involve the Posh. I’m so lucky to have seen several promotions including two incredible play off final wins. I love the buzz and atmosphere of going to games, but football is about so much more than what happens on the pitch; for me it represents family, friendship, passion for the club and pride in our city.
“I believe that sport is powerful in breaking down barriers and bringing people together with a shared passion and interest, regardless of gender, age or ethnicity. Growing up with a love of sport has had such a fantastic impact on my life and I really encourage females to get involved.” Said Jess.
Female involvement in football has improved massively over the last few years, but there’s always still more work to be done. Jess has been with the Posh for twelve years and is delighted to have seen the improvement in growth and opportunities, something she hopes will continue in the years to come.
“I’ve always felt really welcomed as a Peterborough United fan, and whilst I probably was in a minority as a female growing up loving football, it wasn’t something I ever really thought about – in a good way. Over the last 10 years it feels like there has been an uplift in female involvement and it’s amazing to see the growing opportunities for women and girls to be involved as players, coaches, officials, supporters, and in the media.”
Jess also has a good idea of what she wants to see happen for continuous improvement to be made to the levels of participation of women in football, whether that be attending matches, playing for a team or working within the sport.
“I’d love to see the experiences and role of women and girls in football celebrated more. Increasingly, I see better coverage and greater equality, but it still feels like there is work to do in challenging stereotypes about female involvement in football, and about football fans more generally. I think the work of the Her Game Too campaign is brilliant in challenging sexism in football, and I’d really like to see even more positive experiences promoted too. I’m really proud to be a Posh and football fan; I would love more women and girls to enjoy their involvement in the way that I do.” Jess concluded.
Within Peterborough United Foundation, we’re delighted to currently have five female members of staff working for our fantastic team. Peterborough United Foundation is fully committed to providing and advancing sporting opportunities for females in and around the local area. This includes developing Footballing talent within our girls U8-U16 Elite & Development centres, working with local clubs and teams, running Girls only holiday courses and working with other partners/organisations to promote female sport for all, in a fun and safe environment.
If you’re heading to a game this weekend to spectate or partake in any way, send us a photo and tag in @poshfoundation on Twitter so we can celebrate women and girls’ participation in the sport we all love!