Ahead of this weekend’s Her Game Too weekend at St James Park, Exeter City Women’s captain Bow Jackson sat down with us to discuss the campaign and the wider impact of the growth of the women’s game in recent years.
Since the club partnered with HGT in 2021, the club have hosted three dedicated weekends and sees attendances at women’s fixtures take an upward trajectory, maxing out at the 3,000 mark last year.
"Obviously HerGameToo focuses on women,” Bow said.
"But Exeter City gets involved in so many other campaigns as well, which really emphasises what this club is all about, which is equal opportunities and what we can do with our platform.
“The Lionesses winning the Euros was a snowball effect for women’s sport, and what they did was showcase how fantastic women’s sport has been. It is amazing seeing so many young girls here with their families, not just their clubs but their parents and their brothers and Dads. That one game of football on the TV had such a hueg impact.”
Exeter City have committed to several women’s matches being played at St James Park this season, with Sunday’s clash with Billericay the fifth to take place in EX4. Jackson is proud of the club’s effort to give the women’s team the platform to perform on the bigger stage, while aware that not every club is so fortunate.
“It is the little things and those margins, when you start climbing the ladders. To play in a stadium as nice as this, and when you walk through the door or into the changing rooms and it says Exeter City, you know it’s your club. It’s your home, and you are preparing in your own home. It is amazing to have the club giving us this opportunity – it is a fantastic place for us to create a legacy.”
The need for HerGameToo is often perpetuated by the abuse online and in the stands which is sadly still prevalent in our society. Jackson feels that the campaign can play its part in educating those with negative views of women’s sport.
"What it shows with these comments is insecurity and people being uncomfortable with change.
“A campaign like this showcases that it doesn’t matter who you are, you have the opportunity to showcase who you are on the biggest stage. And if you don’t like it, go and watch something else.”
Watch the full video with Bow: