Trust supports the Rachel Yankey Foundation
The Trust were delighted to support the Rachel Yankey Foundation at an event organised by the Arsenal Women’s Supporters Club last night.
The evening raised vital funds for the Foundation, allowing it to continue Rachel’s award winning advocacy for young girls and women in London.
Rachel became the first professional women’s football player in the United Kingdom when she moved from Arsenal to Fulham to join the Whites in 2000. She helped Fulham win promotion to the top flight and win the Women’s FA Cup in 2002 and 2003, the Premier League in 2003 and the Premier League Cup in 2003.
Upon her return to Arsenal following Fulham’s regrettable decision to rescind their professional status, Rachel continued to lift countless trophies and inspire a new generation of footballers. Rachel won 129 senior caps for England, scoring 19 goals, and represented Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics, playing in all five matches.
Rachel went on to coach London Bees and has played a hugely important role on and off the field, including setting up the Rachel Yankey Foundation, which aims to give young girls aged between eleven and sixteen opportunities to improve their life chances through participation in sport and education. With Rachel’s permission, the Trust introduced the Rachel Yankey Trophy to honour the Fulham FC Women’s player of the year in October 2023.
Trust EDI co-lead Tamara Dragadze, who attended the event at the Tollington Arms, said:
“It was wonderful to hear about the life changing work that Rachel has inspired through her foundation. Rachel remains one of my footballing heroes and I am so proud that the Trust honours her legacy through the trophy named after her that is presented to the Women’s Player of the Year. I’d encourage every Trust member to consider learning more about the Rachel Yankey Foundation.”
