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Following a successful event in Merseyside last year, the Community Sports Series is returning to Liverpool in March – with a simple message for women who have served in the armed forces.
Gemma Kemble-Stephenson, who served as a medic in the Royal Army Medical Corps for 18 years, is a Community Sports Coordinator and is part of the team that will be delivering the Sports Series event dedicated to women who have served, which aims to celebrate strong women and stronger bonds across the armed forces community. The event will provide an opportunity to take part in a number of adaptive sports taster sessions, including netball, yoga, power-lifting, boccia and rowing.
Gemma said: “Our message is that getting active and taking part in sport in particular, can have a huge impact on your mental and physical wellbeing. Many women join the armed forces, because they enjoy being active and sports – but when they leave that outlet can be taken away from them.
“Our Sports Series provides a safe environment for them to dip their toe back in the water, and try out a range of different sports. They will be able to connect with like-minded people. People travel from all over the country to take part and we know that when the weekend is over, they go home feeling positive and energised.”
Since we launched the Sports Series three years ago, we’ve had 250 people attend."
Community Sports Coordinator
The women-only event, which also coincides with International Womens Day, is being held on 8 and 9 March at Liverpool John Moores University. The Charity has a programme of sports and social activities for former service personnel as part of their recovery programme and is aiming to encourage more female veterans to get active. It will be holding six Community Sports Series events this year across the country, with the launch event in Liverpool.
Gemma added: “Since we launched the Sports Series three years ago, we’ve had 250 people attend – the majority of people take part just for the fun, but we have had some people go on to complete our Coaching Academy course, represent their country at Invictus Games, Paralympics and Commonwealth competitions.
“We usually have good representation from female veterans, about a third – but we want to increase this, which is why we’ve got this dedicated women only event in Liverpool.”
This year the Community Sports Series events are being sponsored by Cotton Traders. The British clothing retailer is the UK’s leading military charity’s longest-standing partner raising almost £2 million since 2011.