Guests at an event which championed International Women’s Day and the role of females in football raised enough funds to supply sanitary products for a full season at Oxford United.

Organised by Gregory Surveyors in Oxford and held at Bicester Golf Club, the afternoon was supported by Oxford United in the Community in partnership with the football club, its women’s team and members of the Her Game Too campaign.

There was an afternoon tea and a chance for visitors to try their hand at golf and a number of fundraising activities – including a silent auction – with proceeds dedicated to providing enhanced sanitary product provisions at all Oxford United home fixtures during the 2024-25 season, in a partnership between Oxford United, Oxford United in the Community and Her Game too.

Speakers on the day included women’s team coach Kath Faulkner, Her Game Too Ambassador Grace Bailey and Oxford United in the Community’s own Kerrie Bates – who all discussed their experiences in football from playing the professional game, participating at grassroots level, and attending matchdays.

Louise Gregory from Gregory Surveyors said: “We wanted to host an International Women’s Day event to celebrate women who work in and around property and construction, and inspire more inclusion around historically male dominated areas such as, surveying, property, football and golf.

“We hope to encourage community engagement with other local businesses and companies in Oxford to come together to celebrate and support Oxford United Women’s team, the great work Oxford United in the Community are doing and Her Game Too. We are excited about future support we will provide to them this year and to support the International Women’s Day theme Inspire Inclusion.

“Hearing from various experts who voiced their connection to women’s football and how the game has changed in recent years was really insightful and we’re grateful to everyone who supported our causes on the day and took time out to shine a positive light on the role of females in football.”

Every person in attendance was invited to a follow-up event on Sunday, March 24, when Oxford United Women host London Bees in the National League Southern Division at Court Place Farm, to get more local businesses involved in supporting her game to, OUFC women’s team.

Grace Bailey of Her Game Too said: “This event was a great opportunity to raise awareness of the work we do at Her Game Too.

“Her Game Too is a group of female supporters passionate about football and working to eradicate sexism in the football industry and wider sporting world. With the money raised from the event we will be able to keep the Kassam Stadium stocked with sanitary products for all of next season.

“Having this support from Oxford United in the Community, Gregory Surveyors and everyone that attended the event is incredible. This shows that small changes will help so many woman and girls at matches.”

The event coincided with the launch of Oxford United in the Community’s Easter Girls Only Holiday Camps, which will run for the full two weeks for the first time next month at The Oxford Academy in Littlemore.

Delivered to accommodate players of all abilities and experiences, the charity’s girls only camps are open to football-mad youngsters aged 5-13 with sessions teaching new skills and techniques while focusing on the development of teamwork and problem solving.

Parents can access £10 off for the week by entering the code ‘EASTERGIRLS10’ at the checkout when booking their place, with all proceeds committed towards the charity’s vision to inspire happier, healthier and better-connected communities.

We would also like to extend our thanks to Simon Badgery and the team at Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa for supporting us as a venue to host this event.

Details of Oxford United in the Community’s Easter Holiday Camps and bookings are available to make by clicking here. Further information about Gregory Surveyors is available via www.gregorysurveyors.com.