Female graduates return to UCFB for Inspirational Women in Sport events

Some of UCFB’s many successful female graduates returned to our campuses to offer advice and guidance to current students at our Inspirational Women in Sport events.

The graduates returned to our Wembley and Manchester campuses as part of panel sessions and group discussions surrounding issues facing women in sport today.

Some of the alumnae returning included:

• Mya Graham – BA (Hons) Football Business and Media – Producer at talkSPORT
• Minnie Roe – MSc Football Communications and Digital Marketing – Commercial Sales Executive at Fulham FC
• Cassandra Aina – BA (Hons) Sports Business and Sports Law – Community Project Manager at All England Lawn Tennis Club

Other guests attended to support the events and took part in sessions, such as:

• Ella Williams – Founder and Director of Our Goal
• Lizzie Erickson – Participation and Events Co-ordinator at MLB Europe
• Sam Mackenzie – Interim CEO at Altrincham Football Club

The events included networking sessions, panel discussions and round table discussions, listening to organisations and clubs on how they promote diversity and inclusion for women.

Looking back on a few years ago, when she herself was at UCFB, Mya Graham said: “If I look back to when I was a student, all I wanted was that representation and those people there as success stories, knowing that it is achievable.

“Now, there’s so many women really making a name and putting themselves out there, and I think that representation of showing a more than 50/50 balance is so important.”

Speaking about the event, Lizzie Erickson said: “It’s really important to have events like this for girls who are interested in the industry, and it’s a privilege to be invited to tell my story.”

Sam Mackenzie added: “Networking events like these are so valuable, especially for women in sport, so I wouldn’t have missed this. It’s been really fantastic.”

Cassandra Aina offered some advice to students wanting to forge a career within the sports industry. “Get your foot in the door,” she said, “sometimes you have to do it solo. If you’re by yourself and forced to make new connections, people will come up to you.”