Story added: 8th August 2017
The Football Association (FA) has announced the first ten successful graduates from its first Women’s Leadership Programme, which includes the Community Sports Foundation’s (CSF) Head of Development, Jackie Thornton.
Led by The FA and supported by all of the football authorities, the programme is run in conjunction with the Institute of Directors, with the aim of giving participants the necessary skills to sit on football boards by providing tailored programmes depending upon their sponsoring organisation.
Mrs Thornton successfully graduated from the programme, which consisted of an induction, one day workshops on leadership and self-awareness, governance and the role of the board, finance, strategy and commercial and influencing, networking and coaching, earlier this year.
She will join Scunthorpe United’s Leanne Mayo, Manchester CFA’s Deb Owen, the Isthmian League’s Kellie Discipline, Jenny Horsfield of the Cambridge United Community Trust, Tottenham Hotspur’s Nikki Kelly, recently-appointed Brighton boss Hope Powell, Anna Mitchell of Portsmouth, Prepared PR’s Lisa Smith and Doncaster Belle’s Faye Lygo.
FA CEO Martin Glenn commented:
“As leaders in football – both men and women – it’s time to recognise that diverse talent makes business sense. This is an active, creative intervention which is benefitting the industry as a whole.”
Graduates are from Premier League, English Football League and WSL clubs, alongside the LMA and County FAs. Six out of 10 of the graduates are already Board Directors and the other four hold senior executive roles working alongside professional club boards and club foundation boards.
"As leaders in football - both men and women - it’s time to recognise that diverse talent makes business sense. This is an active, creative intervention which is benefitting the industry as a whole."
Martin Glenn
FA Chief Executive
24th April 2025
On Friday 18th April, a team of ten epic fundraisers arrived at Carrow Road, fresh from completing a mammoth 150 miles of walking in just 60 hours.
17th April 2025
Last Friday was all go at The Nest, as six representative CCO teams took to the pitches for the Premier League Kicks Cup.
14th April 2025
Grant Holt leads a group of walkers on an epic 150-Mile Challenge, this Wednesday 16th April. Show your support today.
11th April 2025
Kellogg’s Football Camps are back for a second year, thanks to Kellogg’s in partnership with the English Football League (EFL), plus current Premier League champions, Manchester City, and Scottish powerhouses, Celtic and Rangers.
When you donate a little each month, you will be helping to transform the lives of local people of all ages who need our support – giving them the opportunity to connect with others like them, feel happier and healthier in themselves, and raise their aspirations.
Ready for an adventure? Join us this July for the Three Peaks Challenge and help support the incredible work of the Community Sports Foundation. This is your chance to conquer the UK’s most iconic mountains, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Mount Snowdon – all in one unforgettable weekend.
We have Soccer Schools running at venues across Norfolk & Suffolk, and whether participants are new to football, or are already a budding Canary superstar, the Soccer Schools programme has been put together to provide a fun, holiday activity at an affordable price.
As Norwich City Football Club's official charity partner, we help thousands of people every year achieve their goals through sport, supporting some of the most disadvantaged, disabled and talented people across Norfolk. Our vision is to support, inspire, and improve our community.
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