The Women’s Panel Event, hosted by the Women of Wimbledon Supporters Association (WOWSA), is coming up on Wednesday 6 March at 7.30pm.
Held in the same week as International Women’s Day, the event at the Cherry Red Records Stadium is in collaboration with AFC Wimbledon, The Dons Trust, and supported by the Football Supporters Association’s Fans For Diversity campaign.
The Women’s Panel Event is open to all supporters - not just WOWSA members and women - with the option to join online if you can’t attend in person.
To book your free ticket, go to wowsa.uk/events
Dame Siobhain McDonagh MP will be doing an introduction before the panel discussion begins.
The panel will be made up of some fantastic women who work and volunteer in key roles across our club, with the evening is hosted by Hannah Kumari, Fans for Diversity Campaign Manager for the Football Supporters’ Association’s (FSA).
The Fans for Diversity campaign is a partnership between the Football Supporters’ Association and Kick It Out. Its aim is simple – to celebrate diversity in football to ensure all fans feel safe and welcome at the game, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, faith, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. Football is for everyone, together.
Meet the Panel:
Michele Little has been Chair of the Dons Trust Board since September 2023, she is also an AFCW PLC Director, as well as Finance Committee Chair and Dons Trust Treasurer. She is also the Dons Trust’s trustee representative on both the AFC Wimbledon Foundation and WiSH boards.
Michele is a chartered accountant and chartered tax advisor, with an Economics degree from Cambridge. As part of her Dons Trust Treasurer role Michele oversees the Plough Lane Bond.
Sophia Axelsson is the Women’s General Manager at AFC Wimbledon, and has been in the role since February 2022. She sits on the AFC Wimbledon Women’s Board.
As General Manager for the women’s team, Sophia is responsible for anything that happens outside the football pitch, whether that is growing the crowds, social media engagement, income from sponsorships, and anything else that has to do with running a football club - aside from washing the kit!
Jennifer Scott has held the post as Chair of AFC Wimbledon Foundation since 2021.
Jennifer is Director of Dulwich Picture Gallery, a role she has held since April 2017. She is responsible for the artistic vision, management, and strategic leadership of the world’s first purpose-built public art gallery. She loves the family friendly nature of the AFC Wimbledon and its wide reaching community.
Lou Carton Kelly is Chair of the Wimbledon Independent Supporters Association (WISA) and an AFC Wimbledon volunteer. Lou was the first elected Chair of the Dons Trust Board when it launched in 2002 and later held the post of AFC Wimbledon’s Operations Director.
Lou served as Vice Chair of Supporters Direct, the national organisation set up to deliver democratic representation within football clubs. She was the driving force behind the foundation of The Dons Trust as Chair of the steering committee.
Panel Host
Hannah Kumari is the FSA’s Fans for Diversity Campaign Manager.
Hannah is a writer, director and former actor, working across theatre, opera, tv and film. Her play ENG-ER-LAND has toured over 30 venues around the UK.
She has appeared on BBC Newsnight, BBC Squad Goals, Talk Sport and BBC Sportshour.
Jane Lonsdale, Chair of WOWSA, said: “It’s great that we have so many women working and volunteering at our club. It’s the first time they have been brought together to discuss with fans their experiences in football, their inspirations, successes and challenges. It’s a free hybrid event so I encourage everyone to register early, grab a drink and join in the discussion.”
To find out more about WOWSA and how to become a member, visit wowsa.uk