Manx Footy Pod Special: International Women’s Day Celebration of Football

Tom and Sam headed to the Bowl this week to meet retired Lioness and Liverpool star Natasha Dowie, referee Pei Le Kew, assistant referee Broghan Kelly, assistant referee Ella Karkoska; and referee coach Georgia Rooney, IOMFA non-executive director Vicki Hotchkiss, interim CEO Lewis Qualtrough to celebrate women and girls football on the island.

They were at the Bowl for the FA’s event to kick off a campaign to get more women and girls involved in the sport.

The event featured 17 under 6 to under 16 girls club teams in a friendly round-robin tournament, and girls from the Manx Youth Games before a senior exhibition match between two teams drawn from the Isle of Man’s national women’s football squad.

Vicki Hotchkiss said: ‘The response to this event exceeded our expectations. It was fantastic to see so many people turning up to watch the matches and show support for women and girls’ football. We must say a massive thank you to all of the individuals and local businesses which made this event a success, especially to Robinson’s, Boal & Co and Canada Life International for their support as event sponsors.’

In addition to Natasha Dowie, special guests included Lady Philippa Lorimer MBE, Chief Minister Alf Cannan, Mayor of Douglas Natalie Byron-Teare, Becky Corkish, captain of the national women’s football team as well as FA sponsors, representatives from Isle of Man Sport and a number of women volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes.