Stanley Women set sights on success with Specsavers partnership

Accrington Stanley Women have announced a new partnership with Specsavers Accrington, which has become the club's official Team of the Week sponsor until the end of the season.

The partnership will see Specsavers support a special weekly initiative celebrating the achievements of players across the club's 29 teams, which currently provide opportunities for 314 players from Under-10s through to open age development.

Each week, every Stanley Women team will have the opportunity to put themselves forward for the Team of the Week award, recognising much more than just results on the pitch.

From outstanding teamwork, kindness and sportsmanship to commitment, resilience and personal progress, the initiative will celebrate the qualities that make Stanley Women such a special club.

Teams can also be recognised for supporting teammates, making a difference in their local community or honouring a cause that holds personal significance to them.

The winning team will then have the honour of wearing the club's new pink Specsavers-branded kit for their next fixture. Stanley Women's Under-15s were recently named Team of the Week and wore the special pink kit for their match against Blackpool, becoming one of the teams to celebrate the new initiative.

The special kit carries a particularly poignant meaning for Stanley Women, having originally been created in memory of Gill Bishop, a much-loved friend and supporter of the club who sadly passed away following a long battle with cancer.

As well as celebrating Gill's memory, the pink kit continues to raise awareness of breast cancer and show support for everyone affected by the disease.

That message has added significance through first team player Mich Ryan, who has openly shared her own experience of breast cancer and her journey back to football following treatment. Her story is a powerful reminder of why raising awareness matters and the importance of supporting those affected by the disease.

The partnership also brings benefits for Stanley Women players and members, including free sight tests, 20 per cent off Specsavers' two-for-one glasses offer and 20 per cent off contact lenses.

Accrington Stanley Women chair Sami Smithson said: "Specsavers shares our vision for the club and clearly has an eye for local talent. It's an exciting partnership that will help us celebrate the achievements of our players, both on and off the pitch."

Jodie Conroy, ophthalmic partner at Specsavers Accrington, said: "We're really excited to support the fantastic work Stanley Women do in the community, particularly the opportunities they're creating for girls and women to develop and grow through football.

“Team of the Week celebrates so much of what makes grassroots football special, and we're proud to be sponsoring it until the end of the season. We'd love this to be more than just a sponsorship and to build a lasting relationship where we can champion the girls and make a real difference in the local community together."

The partnership also reflects Stanley Women's continued commitment to making football accessible, welcoming and inclusive for everyone.

Diane Kennedy, the club's newly appointed head of safeguarding, welfare and inclusion, has a long-standing connection with Stanley Women, having represented the club during the 1990s and still occasionally turning out for the open age development side.

Now also serving as the club's representative for Equal Game, Diane is passionate about the importance of community engagement, social impact and creating an environment where every player feels valued.

Diane said: "Belonging is at the heart of everything we do at Stanley Women. Football is about so much more than what happens on the pitch, and we're committed to making sure every girl and woman has a place where they feel welcome, supported and valued. Partnerships like this help us strengthen those connections and make a positive difference in our community, both on and off the pitch."

With Specsavers Accrington now proudly supporting Team of the Week, the partnership promises to shine a spotlight on the players and teams making a difference across Stanley Women throughout the remainder of the season.