Reading City Football Club have announced a collaborative partnership with Her Game Too.

A non-profit organisation, Her Game Too was founded by 12 female football fans committed to raising awareness of, and helping to fight, sexism in football.

Whilst predominantly a Boys & Men’s Football Club, the Football Association rules do state that “a child in the age groups Under 7 to Under 18 inclusive may play in a match involving boys and girls."

Tilehurst Panthers, one of the largest girls' only club in and around Reading, are a sister club.

Ryan Sheehan, Head of Marketing, Communications & Engagement at Reading City Football Club said: “I’m absolutely thrilled that HerGameToo have accepted our application to become a partner club and would like to thank Em and the team at HerGameToo for their help with this. We may predominantly be a boys and men’s football club, but we have a proud partnership with our Sister Club, Tilehurst Panthers and together we will promote Girls & Women’s Football within our community as we believe football is a game for everyone. I’ve been looking at getting the club partnered with HerGameToo for a while now, as I wanted to formally recognise the support and commitment women give the club, from parents to club officials. I’d like to especially mention the level of commitment and support we receive from Victoria Pyke, our Facilities Manager and Treasurer, who is often dubbed as Mrs. Reading City as she’s influential to our club and we don’t know what we’d do without her”.

Mrs Pyke will become the Her Game Too ambassador as part of our partnership. She said: “I’m really excited about working with HerGameToo, it’s great to have the club officially backing the Her Game Too campaign. We often hear the message that football is a game for all, and that rings true here at Reading City Football Club as we welcome everyone irrespective of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, ability or disability, faith, or age and this new partnership helps to reinforce that message.

"As part of our partnership, I’m looking forward to working with the club to promote the importance of football being for all and educating others on what it means, along with strengthening our relationship with our sister club Tilehurst Panthers and ultimately attracting more women to the game whether its through volunteering, playing or just coming along to watch.  We want everyone to feel safe, welcome, and accepted in football”.

Reading Chronicle:

Eve Ralph, Co-Founder and director of Her Game Too said: “We are delighted to be working closely with Reading City who are a shining example of a welcoming and inclusive club for all members of the community. At Her Game Too we like to ensure we can support all that encompass the footballing family, from players to fans, staff members to family – something that we are confident Reading City will continue to demonstrate and develop. We’d like to thank them for their support and look forward to continuing to work together.”