Club News

City Women continue their commitment to community.

15 Jun 2026

Bristol City Women have continued their strong commitment to their local community, through 40 player engagements at Bristol City Robins Foundation sessions in 2026.

The squad took part in a Robins Foundation 'Jobs Fair' back in February, chatting directly to project staff and signing up to engage with sessions they were interested in. Since then, players have engaged with a variety of sessions:

Rio Hardy, Fran Bentley and Katie Robinson attended Robins Foundation youth pan-disability sessions and Bristol City Cerebral Palsy FC training.
Lexi Lloyd-Smith and Mari Ward attended an Iftar organised by the Foundation's Central Bristol Youth Council.
Sophie Ingle and Esther Morgan engaged with the Foundation's Sports Business Degree and local mentoring programme.
Jackie Burns and Lauren Brzykcy attended a Premier League Kicks session in Filwood.
Jessie Gale and Mari Ward engaged with the Foundation Health and Wellbeing Team, later attending a walking football session.
Lexi Lloyd-Smith attended a girls-only Premier League Kicks session in St Pauls and was presented with her PFA Community Champion award by the participants.

At grassroots clubs:

Emily Syme and Rio Hardy attended an Easton Cowgirls session.
Ella Powell and Gemma Lawley attended a Fry's girls session.
Emily Syme and Sille Struck attended a Portishead Town Elite Pathway session.

Outside these sessions, participants from the Robins Foundation's free girls' football sessions and players from Bristol City Cerebral Palsy FC were mascots for City Women vs Charlton on the 22nd March. Further, the girls' team from St Peter's Primary, representing Bristol City at regional qualifiers for Premier League Primary Stars, were invited up to the Robins High Performance Centre. Rio Hardy also became a Cerebral Palsy Ambassador, after connecting with Bristol City Cerebral Palsy FC at a training session.

At City Women's grassroots focus matchday on 29th March, all flagbearers and mascots were from local youth teams. Teams were also invited onto the pitch at half time, involving 70 young people, from Montpelier Mambas, Portishead Town Elite Pathway and St Nick's Juniors FC.

Emma Jolliffe, City Women's Senior Operations and Project Manager, said,

"Seeing the commitment of the players to sessions in the community this season has been amazing. Each one has found something they are interested in and we have seen them grow in confidence and knowledge each time. Rio becoming a Cerebral Palsy Ambassador was a real highlight for me. Meeting the players at their session and then as mascots, she has built a lasting connection and left a lasting impact."

Robins Foundation Community Engagement Lead, Roza Bailey, said:

"Since the start of the season, City Women have continued to meaningfully engage with sessions in the community. From a successful EFL week of action back in November, their commitment has been consistent. At every engagement, players have been thoughtful in their approach and players have always got stuck in. We are excited for this to continue next season as know the positive impact it has on participants!"