International Women's Day at The Nest

To celebrate International Women's Day 2025, we hosted a special event at The Nest for girls from local schools.

Friday 7th March saw the return of our Premier League Inspires International Women’s Day at The Nest, with over 100 girls from local high schools arriving at our community hub for a day of football-themed fun.

With the students split into two large groups, half headed out onto our stadium 3G pitch for some team building activities and the remaining students were directed into our ‘Inspire’ space for a series of educational and motivational workshops.

Throughout the day, the indoor workshops featured a host of different motivational speakers, beginning with Norwich City FC’s Senior Brand Manager, Romana Buccianti, who delivered an inspiring workshop on her journey into her current job role at the club, and how her determination and resilience led her to where she is today.

Also taking centre stage to share her journey was the Foundation’s very own Relationships Manager Martha Casey, who told the group of her own challenges and how the passion she has for her current job means she now has a more positive outlook on any personal obstacles she experiences.

The final guest speakers of the day were Norwich City Women trio, Freya Symonds, Lauren Hailes and Ellie Bishop. The awe-struck students had plenty of questions for the City superstars, who were more than happy to share with the room their own personal journeys into the Canaries squad and how their individual perseverance and hard work had ultimately paid off.

Of course, it wasn’t only workshop action for 2025’s International Women’s Day – a series of team-building activities out on the turf was followed by a competitive 7-a-side football tournament, with the much-coveted International Women’s Day trophy up for grabs!

Some outstanding goals were bettered only by some stunning saves, with the elimination process of the tournament eventually seeing Taverham High School take on Hethersett Academy in the final. A game that had the watching crowds on the edge of their seats, it was Hethersett who ultimately clinched victory after an enthralling encounter.

The fore-mentioned Canaries trio of Symonds, Hailes and Bishop were then on hand to present Hethersett with their silverware, and to give every other participant on the day a congratulatory certificate for their hard work and dedication throughout the day.

There were smiles on every face come the end of the day, and our thanks and gratitude must be expressed to the amazing Schools team here at the Foundation, who without such events wouldn’t be possible.

Aoife Linehan, the Foundation’s Schools Engagement Officer, was over the moon with the success of this year’s International Women’s Day event at The Nest.

“I’d like to thank every school for joining us here today to help celebrate the success of women both here and across the world. I must also congratulate every girl involved both on and off the pitch today – we hope you’ve learnt a lot from the event!”

To find out more about inspiring the next generation in your school, visit our Premier League Inspires page.