OA Building Surveyors – championing women on site and on the pitch

Women’s football is definitely on the up.  After the excitement surrounding the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup and with Brighton & Hove Albion competing in the Women’s Super League, could now be Steyning Town Community Football Club’s moment to take centre stage?  That’s what OA Building Surveyors are hoping, having just signed a two year deal to sponsor the Women’s 1st Team.

“It’s easy for companies to tick the Corporate Social Responsibility box by throwing money at a local club but our partnership is based on shared values and investing time as well as funds”, says Alexander Gathern, OA’s Senior Building Surveyor, who also happens to be Captain of the Men’s 1st Team.  “Football and surveying are both male dominated sectors.  As a firm, we do what we can to promote gender equality but female surveyors are like gold dust.  We’re constantly on the lookout for talented women to join our team.  Women remain under-represented in football too.  Not just in terms of participation but in media coverage and leadership positions.  We’re hoping that by sponsoring the Women’s 1st team, we can increase awareness and help change attitudes.  We’re committed to championing the club’s younger female players too.”

Sally Brooks, Project Coordinator at OA Surveyors believes that sport should be a part of all young people’s lives.  “It’s important for mental health as much as physical fitness,” she says.  “Secondary school can be a challenging time, particularly for teenage girls.  Having friendship groups outside of school cliques – teammates to socialise with and turn to for support – is invaluable.  I have three boys, who are all involved with the Steyning club.  Playing improves their mood and concentration, it boosts their self-confidence and helps them sleep.  Why shouldn’t girls benefit from all of these things too?”

Richard Woodridge, Treasurer and Under 18’s Development Officer, commented, “When I joined the club around 10 years ago, there were only a handful of female players, who ended up playing for the Boys’ teams.  Now we have five female teams and over 70 female players, which is really exciting progress.  Ultimately, we’d like a team for every single age group and are hoping that OA’s involvement will help us achieve that.  Female football is just as gritty, technical and entertaining as men’s football.  Through our partnership with OA Surveyors, we hope to inspire local girls so that they see it as a genuinely accessible sport. We are thrilled to have their support and are thankful for their support”

OA are an independent firm of Chartered Building Surveyors, who work with landlords, managing agents and homeowners on all aspects of construction, maintenance and repair.  Their inspections and expert assessments enable clients to make informed decisions about their property.  The team are renowned not only for their love of football but also for their knowledge of property defects and building regulations.  From their offices in central Brighton, they serve clients throughout Sussex, Surrey, London and Kent – https://www.oasurveyors.com 

Just like the Euros, local football offers quality games and a fantastic atmosphere, so check out the fixture list – http://www.steyningtownfc.co.uk – and head on down to the ground.