Service to host girls and women's football tournament

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service are hosting a free Positive Action Event, to be held on the 8 June 2024 at the Calverton Miner’s Welfare Sports Ground (Kinton Fields).

Places will be on a first come, first served basis. 

The focus of the event is to promote the Service as an employer of choice, showcasing firefighting as a viable alternative for women, beyond the stereotypical norms, when it comes to choosing a career. 

To take part, teams need to complete and submit one entry form per team.

Please email footballtournament@notts-fire.gov.uk to get a copy of the form.

MORNING FIXTURES: Arrive & Register 9.00am: managers Meeting 9.30 am K/Off 10.00am

AFTERNOON FIXTURES: Arrive & Register 12.30: managers Meeting 1pm K/Off 1.30pm

The Service has seen a gradual increase in female applicants over recent years, but they want to see this further increase going forwards. They hope that by working with women and girls, they can also promote the Service to other underrepresented groups, including but not limited to, those who identify as belonging to BAME, neurodiverse, and LGBTQ+, backgrounds. As well as firefighting, information about other roles within the fire service will be provided at the event i.e. ICT, finance, performance, communications, occupational health, etc.

The main event for the day will be a football tournament. The age groups will be U15’s (Year 10), U16’s (Year 11), U18’s and an Open Category, and will be based on the 24/25 season ages (current season’s age groups).

There will be eight teams per age group, split into two leagues of four. Although there is the opportunity to win a trophy, the main emphasis of the day is to have fun, whilst showcasing firefighting as a viable career option for women and girls of any background. 

The tournament will be five-aside, with a maximum of eight players per team.

As well as those taking part in the tournament, women and girls of all ages will be able to take part in some practical activities and find out more about the different roles available within Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, should they wish to do so. The reason for choosing football is because, in recent years, the organisation has had a lot of successful applications from women with sporting backgrounds, especially football. 

The practical activities available will consist of several of our entry-level fitness tests, an opportunity to have a look around the fire engine and to try some fire kit on, and hopefully, take part in a mini firefighter challenge. 

There will also be representatives from the Service's employee networks, to share their experiences of being part of Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.