Ashton Gate Events, Bristol Bears Women, Bristol City WFC, Bristol Sport, News

Ashton Gate hosts ‘inspirational’ Women In Sport event

11 November 2021

Players, coaches and sponsors attended the exclusive Lansdown Club event in the Heineken Lounge, with City Women Head Coach, Lauren Smith and Bears Women Head Coach, Dave Ward joined City striker, Abi Harrison and Bears duo, Jenny Hesketh and Holly Phillips.

Also in attendance was Maddie Williamson – a 16-year-old Clifton High School student and member of the GB Softball team, who is fundraising for a climate expedition to Antarctica in March 2022 – and former GB netball star and double Commonwealth bronze medal winner, Pamela Cookey.

The event was hosted by Group Communications Director, Lisa Knights and featured interviews with both sets of coaches and players, as well as Group Commercial Director, Ben Latty.

Bears Women Head Coach, Dave Ward, said: “It’s clear to see the growth of women’s rugby in this country in recent times, with the Red Roses’ double victory over New Zealand highlighting the investment in the sport, as the country gears up to host the World Cup in 2025.”

Angela Appiah Shippey, Corporate and Business Services Director at Bishop Fleming, described the event as ‘inspirational.’

“It was great to attend the Women in Sport event,” she said. “It was inspirational hearing the stories of the athletes and the coaches and how women’s sport is genuinely integrated at Bristol Sport.

“The players and the coaches spoke so passionately about the group’s values and the benefits of playing and participating in sport.”

Natasha McKenzie from Webgains, added: “It was really impressive to hear the players’ stories of how they fell in love with their respective sports and the sense of community that comes from them being part of the teams. I loved the fact that for these young women the professional era of women’s sport is no longer a dream it is a reality.”