Long-serving Cumberland Football Association official Helen Aitchison has been described as an unsung hero as she leaves her role.
Helen, who has spent 20 years with the county FA, has been their longest-serving staff member and their women and girls football development officer.
While she has had a number of roles with the Cumberland FA, her work in increasing opportunities for women and girls to play the game in the county in particular has drawn praise from colleagues.
The Cumberland FA’s chief executive, Ben Snowdon, said: “I honestly don’t think that Helen understands or gives herself the credit that she deserves in terms of the impact she has had on the amount of women and girls who play the game within Cumberland.
“In fact, I don’t think that there will be many people involved within women and girls football who, when they think about it, haven’t been supported or even inspired by Helen in some way.”
In a statement, the county association praised Helen for her pivotal role in the “overwhelming growth and doubling of participation within women and girls football”, including her support for the creation of the girls’ county cup, the West Cumbria Youth Girls section, CFA Women’s League and in over-35s provision.
She also oversaw the first elite girls’ coaching centre in the county, which was, the county FA said, the first stepping stone for numerous players including Georgia Stanway, the Bayern Munich and England midfielder from Barrow.
Helen, who joined the Cumberland FA in 2005, was also involved in establishing the CFA Charter Standard Festival, helped build a network of female coaches and also led on marketing and communications to grow the Cumberland FA brand, as well as creating charity partnerships.
Ben Snowdon added: “Her motivation and passion came from her huge love of the game but also was born out of the frustrations and lived experience that she had growing up as a young female player and being told that she was unable to play the game past a certain age.
“This burned deeply inside of Helen and she wanted to ensure that women and girls had an ever-increasing number of opportunities to play the game within the county.
“She leaves the women and girls game in a much better place than it was when she started 20 years ago.”
Helen said she felt lucky to have worked in her “dream job” for so long and added: “Throughout the years, I have seen plenty of changes in the world of football and seen the growth first hand in Cumbria, but one thing remains constant — the love we all share for the game.
“As I step away, I carry with me plenty of memories and shared experiences with so many fantastic volunteers and players – they really are the reason girls and women’s football is where it is today.
“Football really is so much more than just a sport; it’s a way to connect, inspire, and empower.”
