Bristol Rovers Women’s co-founder says he wants to continue inspiring women into the sport, after securing a second promotion only three years after their relaunch.
Rovers had been without a dedicated women’s team since 2005.
The idea to restart the Gas Girls came in 2019 from the Community Trust associated with the men’s club.
They have just secured back-to-back promotions and will play in the fifth tier of women’s football next season.
“To give girls that opportunity to be involved in the industry is massive,” said team co-founder Matt Davies.
“If we can help provide those opportunities and those inspirations to girls going forward, who believe, ‘I can work in the football industry’.”
The original Bristol Rovers Women’s team was formed in the 1980s, but in 2005 it became the Bristol Academy WFC and then Bristol City Women’s Football Club in 2015. Now associated with Rovers’ cross-city rivals, the Robins’ team plays in the Women’s Championship.
In 2019, Davis and Nathan Hallett-Young – also now the team manager – had the idea of relaunching a women’s team. That summer a recruitment drive for players began, with the senior team entered into the Gloucestershire County Women’s Football League the following season.
A development squad featuring under-18 players was also set up – players are consistently encouraged to come along for trials and to train – while the team has provided more of a platform to the sports degrees and courses offered through the Community Trust.
Local campaigns have also been supported, with special kits created to support Bristol Pride and Her Game Too, a campaign to tackle sexism in football.