A NEW football podcast is launching in York to showcase inspirational female voices.
York City Ladies FC is launching a new #MoreThanFootball podcast.
Co-hosted by Paula Stainton, YCLFC Chairperson, and Charlie Hopper, York City Ladies Media Voice, has a female focus and will feature a wide variety of guests - from coaches and players to local entrepreneurs.
Kicking off the podcast is first guest Steph Turnbull, sporting director at York City FC Foundation Female Pathway. Steph talks about how she got into football and coaching, her role with the team, and her appointment by the FA to be a talent scout for the Lionesses.
Paula said: “We’re really excited to be launching the podcast, which will show that we’re about so much more than the game itself. We want guests to tell their stories - everyone has their journey. We want to share experiences and expertise, and advocate for women.
“We keep looking for fresh innovative ways of engaging with our MinsterBelles community and to spread the word about the female game even wider.
“We take our role seriously to champion females as well as the female game. More and more, we have the pleasure of meeting some amazing women in York and across Yorkshire through our York City Ladies network, and we wanted to be able to share their stories alongside ours.
“The momentum around the female game is exciting, and York City Ladies FC are passionate about advocating for females on and off the field, including those women in business who support women in sport.
“#MoreThanFootball is a positive platform for sharing stories alongside a love for the female game. Expect to hear lots of female voices.”
Paula said: “I don’t do my role for the love of football. It’s about the reward we get when we’ve made a difference to the community - and the positive impact we can make on individuals.
“As a charity, the Foundation helps thousands of people every month, from delivering football after-school clubs to supporting local events.”
Examples of how the Foundation is about so much more than football include their recent involvement with the York Food & Drink Festival, where they partnered with The Cookery School at The Grand to host The Great York Family Cookery Competition. This gave finalists the opportunity to create their favourite post-match family meal in the Cookery School under the watchful eye of their head chefs in a Masterchef-style environment. There’s also BusinessBelles, a women in business network for women running their own business or working for organisations in York and the surrounding areas, with an online community and monthly events.
Paula said: “Being recognised as a charity in our own right this year has solidified the reputation we have for being about More Than Football within the business community of York. This includes being chosen by a number of prestigious names as their selected Charity of the Year, including the Lord Mayor of York and Civic Party, York Professionals, Ison Harrison Solicitors - and even local band Shed Seven.
“This support allows us continue to share our programmes with even more people. We want to keep improving our offer for physical and mental health, reducing social isolation, improving community cohesion, and tackling food poverty and holiday hunger.
“Football is about so much more than the game - it can change lives.”
• To listen to the #MoreThanFootball podcast, visit: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2CWcyAiMIMEua2fALeL6pN?si=BLQJJQgzQFaI9RCpWsZ5Zw&nd=1&dlsi=be4a5f6d9bda4d45
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