Accrington Stanley Women set for life-changing coaching and community sports mission to Ghana

Accrington Stanley Women are preparing to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Ghana this July, with a group of players, staff and guests set to take part in a unique volunteer coaching and community sports programme.

The group of 18, including three members of staff and a number of special guests, will depart on Sunday 5th July for what promises to be an unforgettable experience both on and off the pitch.

Among those joining the trip is England boxer Mia Harrison-Bradshaw of Clayton Boxing, who will help inspire young people through sport while experiencing the programme alongside the team.

The travelling party represents a fantastic cross-section of Accrington Stanley Women, bringing together first-team players, members of the club’s open-age development squad and some of its emerging young talent.

Among those making the journey are first-team captain Lily Edmondson, two of the club’s original members Olivia Knight and Pippa Smithson, and promising young player Freya Mottram, who is beginning to establish herself within the club’s open-age environment.

The initiative has been driven by the club’s commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for its players while supporting communities through sport. Many of the players involved have a genuine interest in coaching, whether as a future career path or as a way of giving back within their own communities, with several already actively involved in coaching roles.

The idea for the project developed through conversations with Olivia Knight and Pippa Smithson and quickly grew into an opportunity that the club felt could have a lasting impact on everyone involved.

For many of the players, the trip will be their first opportunity to visit another country and experience a completely different sporting culture and approach to player development.

During their time in Ghana, the group will work closely with local schools and community organisations, delivering coaching sessions and supporting grassroots sport projects.

They will also have the opportunity to visit Ghana’s equivalent of a national football training centre, gaining valuable insight into player development pathways within the country.

The experience is expected to be both rewarding and eye-opening, with the group spending time living in relatively basic conditions while immersing themselves in local communities. For those with ambitions in the performance side of the game, one of the highlights of the visit will be the opportunity to play against one of Ghana’s national teams.

The players have taken an active role in organising and fundraising for the trip, while families have provided tremendous support throughout the planning process. Geraldine Edmondson, mother of captain Lily Edmondson, has played a key role in helping coordinate much of the administration and logistics behind the scenes.

The club has also received fantastic backing from local businesses and organisations. IntelliPix and the Phil Smithson Foundation have both contributed towards the purchase of touring kit, while Macron has generously donated a large quantity of footballs and sports equipment that will be taken to Ghana and distributed to local children and community groups. Despite extensive fundraising efforts by the players, the trip remains largely self-funded.

The travelling party received their new kit at a special ‘kitting out’ event held at the Wham Stadium on Monday.

Sami Smithson, Accrington Stanley women chair, said: “This is genuinely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for many of those involved. As a club, Accrington Stanley Women always strive to create experiences that are different, meaningful and memorable, helping our girls and women become the very best versions of themselves through the power of sport, and particularly through the power of football.

“This trip is about much more than football. It is about personal growth, cultural exchange, community impact and creating memories that will stay with our players for the rest of their lives. We are incredibly proud of the commitment the girls have shown in making this happen and grateful to everyone who has supported the project along the way.”

Eileen Smithson, from the Phil Smithson Foundation, said: “The Phil Smithson Foundation is for opportunities in sport and there’s no better opportunity than these young people going abroad to a country like Ghana and having the opportunity to play sports and represent their town of Accrington.”

Scott Killaway from IntelliPix: “I think it is really important to get involved in women’s football, especially a local club like Accrington Stanley. My daughter plays for the U10s and I am just proud to be part of this, it’s a special thing.”

To keep up to date with Accrington Stanley Women and their trip to Ghana, visit: www.facebook.com/AccringtonStanleyWomen, x.com/ASWFCofficial and www.instagram.com/accrington_stanley_womenfc