The Foundation’s education department held a special event for young females on the Goalgetters programme at Stamford Bridge with several local schools in attendance to celebrate allies and women of Chelsea.

More than 160 female students from both primary and secondary schools were in attendance at the Canoville Suite as they were inspired by guest speaker Kianna Leader, who works as an activist, and a virtual message from Anja Honnefelder, chief people and legal officer from Trivago.

The students were also pleasantly surprised when they received a video message from Chelsea FC Women players Ji So-Yun, Millie Bright and Lauren James.

Participants were tasked with creating a ‘dream team’ full of inspirational women which included athletes and Chelsea stars past and present. Groups had to discuss and explain why they had chosen each individual to be part of their team, highlighting an inspirational journey.

As they were completing the task, former Blues players Claire Rafferty and Katie Chapman visited the event to chat with the young females and take part in a special Q&A.

Speaking at the event, Chelsea Foundation ambassador Katie Chapman said: ‘It’s been really nice learning about what they’ve been doing at the Foundation with the girls. Just looking at all the cards of empowering women that they can look up to, whether it be within football or just within the workplace in general.

‘Hopefully this inspires and helps them in whatever path they choose to take in life.’Claire Rafferty added: ‘It’s really important, firstly because sport is a fantastic platform in order to build your key skills. So sharing the lessons I’ve learned with some of these young girls has been really nice.

‘It’s been so great interacting with all the girls, I’ve learned a lot actually! I’ve learned about influencers that I didn’t know about, everyone’s from different backgrounds so it’s great, they’ve taught me as much as I’ve taught them hopefully.’

Sam Gaskin-Kemp, Chelsea Foundation’s head of education, said: ‘We’ve invited almost 170 young women from our Goalgetters programme to talk about allyship and women who inspire them.

‘It’s important for them to be able to come to Chelsea Football Club to be part of a bigger project. We’re looking at women of Chelsea, so we’re trying to create this community of young women and helping them to feel like they are part of something bigger, and also to connect with other women.’