Page 18 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.14 2021-22

West Midlands League
Only one match in the Premier Division was able to survive the weather on Sunday, at
Worcester City where the home side defeated Coundon Court 5-2 to go up to fifth in the
table. Jessica Rew hit a hat-trick for Worcester, whose other goals came from Lauren D'oyen-
Fitchett and Charlotte Wallis, whilst Coundon's replies came from Alex Shilton and Catherine
Smith.
Division One South leaders Solihull Sporting powered to an emphatic victory over
Kingfisher to open up a lead of three points. Lauren Smith was on target six times and Isabelle
Haigh weighed in with a further four, Naomi Melbourne bagged a hat-trick and Victoria Cook
rounded off the scoring. Rugby Borough battled out a 2-2 draw with Cookley Sports in the
division's other game, Lauren Thompson netting twice to give Cookley a two-goal lead in the first
half, before Rugby hit back with goals from Beth Fesel and Cammie Tarrant.
‘Don’t bottle it up’
The Football Association of Wales has teamed up with its official water supplier, Princes Gate
Mineral Water to release a powerful video on the importance of mental health awareness and
removing the stigma that surrounds it, titled ‘Don’t Bottle It Up’.
Princes Gate Mineral Water, nestled in the heart of Pembrokeshire’s Preseli Hills, is a brand
well-known for its philanthropic support. Following the impact of the pandemic and subsequent
lockdowns, Princes Gate Mineral Water recognised the price young people were paying for their
physical freedoms and the potential long term impact this could have on their mental wellbeing.
As such came the partnership with YoungMinds; a mental health charity for children, young
people and their parents’ which helps ensure young people get the support they need, when they
need it, no matter what.
The campaign video, which details how it takes strength and courage to seek help and admit
that you are struggling, features players from the Cymru Senior Women’s and Men’s teams in
addition to U12 players and walking footballers from Barry Town United AFC.
Barry Town United are one of ten football clubs across Wales who deliver the ‘We Wear the
Same Shirt’ (WWtSS) programme. The WWtSS programme utilises football to both highlight the
prevalence of mental health issues among young adults, in addition to offering them the chance
to exercise and socialise together in a safe and welcoming environment. Football Association of
Wales Safeguarding & Player Welfare Manager, Siân Jones said: “It is incredibly important that
we all acknowledge and encourage conversation on mental health both with and between
children and adults. As the video notes, it takes strength to admit that you are struggling, and we
really want to reinforce the power of people checking in with their teammates, coaches or fellow
volunteers across the football family.
“I am delighted that we have teamed up with our suppliers Princes Gate to utilise the power
of football and a number of our fantastic players across the game to reiterate how our mental
health needs to be looked after just like our physical health. At the FAW there is ongoing work to
further develop the FAW’s Mental Health strategy which encompasses all levels of the Welsh
football family that we are due to launch in early 2022.”
Princes Gate Mineral Water’s, Head of Sales and Marketing, Samantha Atkinson said: “We
are delighted to come together with the FAW to collaborate on a very prevalent message. In
particular, supporting grassroots sport is of great importance to us at Princes Gate and within this
promoting the importance of better well-being, both mentally as well as physically and we hope
this video will be testament to this. By partnering with the FAW and using the power of sport, we
hope this campaign will encourage people to lean on their peers, teammates, friends and family
and ultimately talk about their feelings unashamedly, so they don’t have to bottle it up.”
The video further emphasises how mental health is as important as physical health which
aligns with the FAW’s dedication to support the development of mentally healthy clubs at every
level of the game via the ‘Mentally Healthy Football’ Declaration.
The ‘Mentally Healthy Football’ Declaration last year saw governing bodies, leagues and
organisations from across the UK football family pioneering a ‘team approach’ on the important
issue of mental health to scale up the efforts across the football system.
For more information on how to get help, please visit: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/ or if
you are in need of urgent help, please text YM to 85258 for free, 24/7 support.
Issue no. 14 - 2 December 2021 womenssoccerscene@mail.com