Rochdale fans invited to join Her Game Too as club strengthens anti-sexism drive

Friday, 20 June 2025 19:52

By David Murphy

Rochdale AFC is looking for more supporters to become advocates for its Her Game Too campaign ahead of the 2025–26 football season.

The campaign, launched at Rochdale in October 2021, aims to tackle sexism in football and create a safer, more inclusive environment for female fans. With new structures in place and the appointment of joint ambassadors Charlotte Cromarty and Leanne Connolly, the club is stepping up its efforts to involve the community.

Charlotte and Leanne, both part of the club’s new advisory board, are urging supporters to get involved. Fans interested in becoming advocates can now contact the Her Game Too Rochdale team directly via a dedicated email: hergametoo@daletrust.co.uk

The campaign is backed by the Dale Supporters Trust and continues to raise awareness through match-day programme features, podcasts, and a dedicated fixture each season, most recently during April's match against AFC Fylde at the Crown Oil Arena.

The team has also been proactive in creating visible signage around the stadium with clear guidance on how to report sexist behaviour. Fans can report incidents either to the club directly or via a web-based system.

In addition, Her Game Too Rochdale has collaborated with the club’s Community Trust to run donation drives for sanitary products. These are distributed to local women in need via a drop-off point at the stadium, reinforcing the club’s ongoing support for initiatives like 'On the Baw'.

Ambassador Charlotte Cromarty said: “We want people to be comfortable at games, and initiatives like these can go a long way to helping women feel at ease. We will be very appreciative of any donation, and we thank you for supporting females in football.”

The campaign has received strong backing from current and former players. Goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell, now a former player, made history as Rochdale’s first Her Game Too Player Advocate and praised the initiative for uniting clubs and communities.

Young supporters have also been encouraged to take part. The group recently celebrated local footballer Maliyah by inviting her to a match and featuring her in the programme, showing support for the next generation of fans and players.

The Dale Way podcast, hosted by Cromarty and advocate Isabelle Whiteley, remains a key platform for sharing perspectives from female fans and discussing wider issues in the game.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

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