Before every home game, the OAFC Her Game Too team interview a female visiting fan or employee.
Tomorrow, Latics welcome Chester FC to Boundary Park for the FA Cup 4th Round Qualifier and we have been fortunate enough to speak to their General Manager!
Name - Georgina Slawinski
Team - Chester Football Club
Job Title - General Manager
Georgina after being appointed General Manager at Chester FC.
Predictions for tomorrows game?
I’m going for 1-2 to Chester. With over 1500 tickets sold, I know our fans will play their part in supporting our team on the pitch. We’re all looking forward to tomorrow and I am confident it will be a great day out.
What made you want to work in football?
I’ve always loved participating in and watching sports. I was County Champion in Discus and Shotput back when I was at high school and I also played regional-level netball for West Midlands Warriors. As a child, I was sports-mad and was that student who stayed for every single after school sports club.
I’ve been a football fan since a young age. At 18, I discovered the University Campus of Football Business and undertook the Sports Business and Coaching degree. At the time, I was coaching Multi-skills Sports and wanted to progress my football business knowledge further.
I made it my goal to gain a First-Class Honours degree and make it into the football boardroom one day. I’m proud to say that I’ve achieved this, and I hope to play a role in inspiring the next generation who aspire to work in football.
The primary reason I wanted to work in football is that I believe football has the power to transform lives positively. Football has a massive communal element, and it is a fantastic platform to make a difference as it brings so many people together.
Can you talk us through your job interview?
The interview required me to present what I’d do in the role for the first 30, 60 and 90 days of being General Manager. However, I added a ‘Pre-start’ to the presentation. I discussed how I would already start preparing by researching the role and the club and begin to network and build relationships.
Prior to the interview, I attended a home game at the Deva Stadium against Kidderminster Harriers back in April. I felt a real sense of community cohesion, having been amongst the fans that day and instantly I knew I wanted to be a part of it.
Over 90 individuals applied for the role and following my interview I was contacted by City Fans United Director Adam Langan to inform me that I had been successful. I was absolutely delighted to have been given this opportunity and I instantly started my prestart work.
Deva Stadium - home of Chester FC.
How do you feel working in football with it being predominately male dominated?
I feel hugely honoured to work in the football industry. Of course, it has always been male dominated but we are now on the right path with more women increasingly building football careers. Attitudes have changed for the better in recent years and we are on a fast trajectory.
There have been many male role models and mentors who have helped me develop my education and career and I am grateful for their help and input.
It hasn’t always been easy, however. Unfortunately, I myself have faced comments such as “For a woman, you’re more into your football than me”, “You must be the club physio”, and “I don’t think women belong in football”. But organisations such as Women in Football and the Her Game Too campaign who take a stance against sexism in football has helped make football more inclusive, by working with several clubs to ensure zero tolerance on sexist behaviour.
Georgina with Chester FC mascot Lupus.
What would you say to women thinking of getting involved in football?
Football is an incredible industry to work in and can be highly rewarding. To break into the industry requires hard work and commitment so be sure to prepare yourself for the journey ahead. My advice would be to identify your long-term vision and begin to break this down into short-, medium- and long-term goals. Always bear in mind that the path towards you end goal won’t always be easy but I’m a firm believer in that with hard work you can achieve almost anything.
One of the best pieces of advice I can give is always to stay true to yourself and your values. Figure out your ‘why’ - in other words “your purpose.” If you understand your ‘why’,you will always have guidance on what you have set out to achieve. I still feel imposter syndrome on occasions, but I take a step back to reflect and remind myself, I deserve my seat at the table.
I recommend for you to build your network and take on different opportunities to develop your skills and knowledge.
How are you finding your time at Chester football club?
I absolutely love my job at Chester FC and with the tremendous support I’ve had from the fans, it makes me even more motivated and determined to help take this club to the next level.
I am so proud to work for a club where the community is at the heart and soul of every decision but also for a club that receives so much support from our incredible volunteers.
Through an all-round team effort, we’ve made strong progress both on and off the pitch since the start of the season and I can’t wait for this to continue. We’ve obtained several new partnerships this season and I’m thankful that alongside our fans and existing partners, they trust our vision and what we are trying to do both on and off pitch.
Chester FC has tremendous potential for growth, and I look forward to continue working closely with the board to identify new ways to best serve our supporters and achieve our long-term objectives.
Chester FC providing free sanitary products for all supporters.
What do you think of the Her Game Too campaign?
As an avid football fan and working within the industry, I understand how important it is to foster an ethos within football where women feel safe, welcomed and regarded as equal. The Her Game Too campaign is an excellent means of creating a more inclusive environment for female fans of the current and future generations.
I am inspired by the Her Game Too campaign. The fact that 12 likeminded females came together and devised a vision to make a positive change for females and their involvement in football is incredibly powerful. They should be proud of the impact they’ve had on the football industry.
I am delighted that Chester FC and Her Game Too have formed a partnership. Our values are aligned and collectively we strive to ensure that women are both welcomed and respected equally at our club and within the game.
Football has no place for sexism, racism or any form of discrimination. Football is a game for all!
Next stop Oldham away. Up the Seals!
Chester FC supporting the Her Game Too campaign and the Football Is A Game For All message.
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