When Chloe Watts first entered a packed stand, the jeers and whispered doubts felt as heavy as the cheers that usually filled the arena. Growing up in Gloucestershire, she learned to love the game by attending Bristol Rovers matches with her father, a ritual that later became a personal battleground against entrenched sexism.
Creating Safe Spaces
In May 2021, the campaign Her Game Too was launched to confront the hostility many women face while watching sport. What began as a football‑focused initiative quickly broadened to other disciplines, designating pubs and stadiums as safe zones where female fans could enjoy the game without fear of abuse.
Two venues in the region — The Abbey in Gloucester and The Miller in Cheltenham — have signed up to the scheme, offering a welcoming environment that counters the "it's not the same game" mentality still heard in some corners of the stands.
The progress witnessed on the pitch, especially the Lionesses' historic triumphs, has emboldened fans like Watts to speak out. She cites research indicating that 58% of female sports enthusiasts have personally experienced sexism in a pub or stadium, underscoring the urgency of the movement.
Grassroots Voices
Ellie Scrivens discovered her love for football after losing her father, a lifelong Arsenal supporter. Now playing for Abbeymead Rovers Ladies, she finds that her local pub not only backs the women's team but also serves as a communal hub where shared experiences help dismantle outdated perceptions of the women's game.
Scrivens recounts encountering dismissive comments such as "they just give away the tickets," yet she remains hopeful that the growing network of supportive spaces will erode such attitudes, fostering a culture where female fandom is celebrated rather than scrutinized.
The combined efforts of ambassadors, local clubs, and certified venues illustrate a broader shift: what started as isolated incidents of abuse is evolving into a coordinated push for inclusivity, promising a future where the stadium experience is defined by passion for the sport, not by gender.