Club news
All Aboard The SisterShips!
As the first (and still the only) football club in the world to have closed the gender pay gap between male and female players, Lewes FC is pleased to announce the launch of its ‘SisterShips’. The Club officially launched the initiative in August.
This season sees Lewes’ ongoing Equality FC campaign – in which the club use football as an engine to drive social change – create a new network of female empowerment. The SisterShips will consist of pre-existing women-supporting groups and will support the groups to come together in the physical space of a women’s football match, by offering them free and discounted tickets.
SisterShip members will also get discounted* ownerships of the 100% community-owned football club, and the opportunity to have stalls at matchdays and share their message across the club’s extensive social media platforms.
The SisterShips will make their first official appearance at the first match of the new FA Women’s Championship League season.
In the picture are members of Rise – the Sussex-based domestic abuse charity – Brighton Women’s Centre, Lewes Women’s Rugby Club, The Girls’ Network, FiLiA, Sister Society, Lewes Women in Business, The Old Market Theatre (Reigning Women) and Oasis Project – all organisations who support women in specific ways. Each SisterShip will show Lewes FC’s logo on their website, and the club will promote each SisterShip on its own website.
Club co-Director Karen Dobres said, “The SisterShip initiative builds on the work we’ve been doing to include more women in football. Lewes FC Women matches have added attractions to appeal to our new market of women who have previously been excluded from the beautiful game – often without even knowing it!”
Feminist organization FiLiA commented, ‘Lewes sends a clear message that equal pay is not only long overdue and something to aim for, but is possible now.’
Rise said, “We’re proud to support Lewes FC as a women’s sector organization whose principles are rooted in feminism. It’s encouraging to see one of our local clubs leading the way in equality standards. We hope to see other football clubs worldwide following suit.’, and CEO Jo Gough added, ‘I loved the last Lewes FC Women game – it was a really good afternoon, and I have one inspired little girl!’
If your organisation is interested in becoming a SisterShip, contact Karen Dobres at karen@lewesfc.com
Check in regularly at our new SisterShips page to see who is signing up!
(*Cost held at 2018-19 rate of £30)