England Lioness Surprises Whitehaven Lionesses!!

It was a special evening on a chilly Friday night last week but everyone was warmed up with excitement when former England Lioness Izzy Christiansen surprised the Whitehaven AFC Lionesses Pathway with a visit!

Izzy who has 31 caps for the England National Team and played for Manchester City, Everton, Birmingham City & Lyon and received the Players Player Award in the Women’s Super League in 2016 and current Sky Sports Pundit, attended as part of a special treat by British Gas who recognised Whitehaven AFC Ladies First Team Manager Rob Campbell with a National “Coach of the Future” Award.

Rob Campbell won the ‘Coach of the Future’ for his extraordinary impact leading the build of the largest female football pathway in Cumbria and first in the County to have every age group from u6 to Ladies represented at Whitehaven Lionesses AFC was awarded the prize on the night. The award also recognised Rob as a coach on the pitch as well as the support he had given many of the players he had come into contact with over the years through challenging times.

Lioness Izzy Christiansen, Ladies First Team Manager Rob Campbell & Ladies “A” Team Player and daughter Destiny Campbell

British Gas who have entered into a partnership with the Women’s Super League, had arranged for Izzy Christiansen to attend the club as part of the award and their continuing support of Grassroots Sports.

The Lionesses had been told only that there was a special event planned to celebrate International Women’s Day and not that Izzy would attend. Around 150 of the clubs young Lionesses from u6 to u16 attended which also saw the Ladies First Team & “A” Team support the event. The club had been decorated out in shades of purple to represent International Women’s Day, and an inspirational video was played celebrating powerful women by Communications Team Member Grace Law, which featured Boxer Fran Hennessy, Chelsea & Australian International Ellie Carpenter, and England Captain Leah Williamson among others.

U6 - U12 Lionesses with Izzy Christiansen

The Lionesses enjoyed playing mini games and learning skillz from the Whitehaven AFC Lioness coaches and Izzy was on hand to give little notes to help the players as well as answering questions from the youngsters along with selfies and signing everything from shirts, footballs, boots and even one of the girls hands (we hear she still hasn’t washed it off 😅)

Izzy was hugely surprised with the sheer volume of players who attended in such a rural area of the country, both in the earlier younger session and then the older session. She commented that the “energy” was really “powerful” at the club and from the girls, and she equally impressed with the talent and skill on show, with the players demonstrating real bravery on the ball and connecting with each other.

Izzy quizzes the young lionesses on whose their fave Lionesses!

Rob Campbell applauded the players and the coaches “What is on display here tonight is the fruits of our labour. The endless minutes of planning, preparation and support that our fantastic coaches provide these young players, supporting individuality, creativity and learning to play the game in an attractive and brave manner takes so much dedication. We are a very inclusive club of all abilities and that allows us to really thrive as the players feel welcomed and with have good parents, as well as support from local bussiness to make it all possible. It’s been 15 years as of next season since we started the girls youth set up and it’s went from strength to strength, building the largest section of female players is a big task and the coaches and volunteers, past and present have been instrumental in supporting the vision I had many years ago, and we still continue to evolve and have even bigger plans for the future.”

U15 Lioness Jasmine O’Hagan impresses with a tight turn as she attacks!!

The Lionesses were were treated to free ice creams after the game whilst with our in house Catering Company Taste Budz delighting everyone with their

selection of cakes, and hot foods.

The club itself has big plans for the future growth of the entire club, with ambitious plans to develop and build a fully sustainable stadium built from cargo containers. This would considerably not only improve facilities for all the football activities for the club but also support the wider community through other groups and organisations calling it their home also and allowing them to grow and touch more people in our area.

Young Lionesses enjoying a tasty ice cream after a full throttle football session!

Ladies First Team Manager Rob Campbell was asked about the evening, the club and the award “I’m hugely grateful to British Gas “Coach for the Future” initiative for making such an evening possible. To see our girls have the possibility of seeing someone with the standing of Izzy Christiansen at our club, is truly memorable and I won’t forget the energy I felt here tonight and seeing so many smiles on faces. I’m incredibly passionate about championing female football both at youth and senior level and experiences like this don’t just inspire the girls to keep playing; they help them grow, build confidence and realise they can be the best versions of themselves, you must be able to see it to be it. That’s what Whitehaven AFC is all about, and seeing it brought to life this way makes me incredibly proud. Whilst it is really meaningful and special to be recognised, I could not be who I am now and achieved what we have at the club without so many other great coaches, volunteers and people including the Cumberland FA who have been instrumental in my own journey”

Some of the Ladies Senior Players chilling after supporting the young lionesses!!

If you are 6-16 years of age then reach out to the club if you’d like to join Whitehaven AFC. Equally if your 16 years old and above and would like to join our Ladies Senior Teams contact Rob Campbell on 07423133120.

Photos courtesy of MLP Photography 💙💛

Coach Joe Campbell gives advice to his young talented lionesses!!