March is the EFL’s Together Month, which aims to promote and recognise the great work being carried out by EFL Clubs to promote equality, diversity and inclusion.
Wanderers are dedicating tomorrow’s fixture versus Ipswich Town to the campaign, highlighting the work the club is delivering in this space and to promote the ethos of One Club, One Community, One Town.
At the forefront this week has been the championing of women and girls with the club marking International Women’s Day with a special event hosted for over 50 female participants of the Premier League Inspires programme.
A guest panel of women spoke of their experiences in football and fielded questions from participants, including Her Game Too advocate Angela Abbott. Wanderers partnered with the female fan-led movement Her Game Too just under 12 months ago as part of the club’s wider and ongoing equality and diversity work.
On the day of the game, a ‘Family, Faith, Football’ event will be delivered prior to kick off that will bring together a diverse range of people from the Bolton community from different faiths and cultures. During the event will be time to pause and reflect on the many lives that have been impacted by the terrifying and devastating Earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, as well as those caught up in the war and atrocities in Ukraine.
The club’s official charity, Bolton Wanderers in the Community, are at the forefront of the club’s equality, diversity and inclusion agenda that falls within the Together campaign. With a vision for a connected Bolton, without disadvantage, the charity aims to deliver positive change through intervention, prevention and targeted engagement. You can find out more about the work of Bolton Wanderers in the Community here.
Phil Mason, Chief Executive Officer of Bolton Wanderers in the Community said: “We’re proud to champion togetherness at Bolton Wanderers and equality, diversity and inclusion are at the very heart of our values as a club.
“Our aim is to ensure Bolton Wanderers is club where all those who engage and connect with us, in whatever context, feel welcome and safe here.”
David McArdle, the EFL's Head of EDI, said: “While football has made strides, it continues to face challenges that are reflected across society and with over 20 million attending EFL matches each season and millions more watching around the world, the League will use its platform to challenge unwelcome behaviours and promote inclusive practices, to help drive change on the pitch, in Club offices, in the stands and within the communities which Clubs call home.
“Our aim is to provide everyone the same opportunity to succeed across the EFL, but we cannot do it alone, so we look forward to working collaboratively with Clubs and equality partners to improve our game, together."
Tickets for the Wanderers V Ipswich Town fixture remain available here.