Equality Summit Returns in London During the Women's EUROs

It’s been 3 years since we hosted the first ever Equality Summit in Lyon, France during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and we are delighted to be back for round two, on July 28-29, ahead of the Women’s EUROs final.

The Summit will be hosted by Kings College Sport and presented in partnership with Lewes FC, Minute Media, Pixstory, Puma, Women Win and Xero.

The Summit will bring together thought-leaders, activists, business leaders, media reps, policymakers and legends of the game to connect and share new thinking on old problems amidst a growing interest in the women's game. The summit will be built around lightning talks, group discussions and facilitated networking, to enable all participants to share their stories, challenges, successes and solutions.

Above: Photos from the 2019 Equality Summit in Lyon, France

Summit topics were crowdsourced on the back of the Summit in France, and will include the growth of women’s football (and at what cost), activism, eradicating sexual harassment and abuse within the game, club ownership models, female physiology, fan engagement, sportswashing, and case studies on promoting opportunity, equality and respect around the world.

The Equality Summit is designed to facilitate multi-directional, action-oriented conversations on the topics many choose to avoid.

“We are breaking up the traditional conference format to instead connect people through lightning talks, group discussions and facilitated networking, with a focus on less discussed topics and new voices. We hope that collectively, we can offer new thinking on old problems amidst a growing interest in the women’s game.”

— Maggie Murphy, Equal Playing Field Co-Founder & Lewes FC CEO

Speakers include speakers include Khalida Popal, Jonas Baer-Hoffman, Preeti Shetty, Lisa Parfitt, Chris Paouros, Suzy Wrack, Susie Petruccelli, Sue Anstiss, Dr. Pippa Grange, Maggie Murphy, and Laura Youngson. . More speakers listed here.

While the summit is invite-only due to capacity, we welcome those in London to join the waiting list and invite all our friends from around the world to tune in online to the keynote presentations.

We will also be co-hosting casual pickup football alongside Ida Sports on Saturday, 30th July where women can try on their female-specific boots, play some 5-a-side, and maybe even win some prizes. All ages and abilities welcome! RSVP Here

Thank you to our partners who have made this event possible and we can’t wait to see you all in London!

Members of the media, please reach out to hello@equalplayingfield.com for more information on how to attend.

Director's Statement

I’ve wanted to be a film director all my life. Since I was a little girl, I was swept up in the magic of cinema. It was my window to diverse cultures – a thread that connects humanity.

Representation is essential. While cinema nurtured me, it became clear I couldn’t have a future as a film director - I didn’t have a lot of female heroes to look up to, which instilled a strong sense of doubt that this dream was possible.

After a decade of working in other parts of the industry, tragedy enveloped my family – my beautiful mom Jayne was diagnosed with cancer. I moved home to spend the next year as her caregiver. Watching her suffer and eventually take her last breath changed me forever.

Reminded of the preciousness of time, I was instilled with the courage to finally chase the dream I’ve had in my soul since I could walk. Committed to the intersection of art and impact, Radiant J. Productions was born - the “J” stands for my mama, always guiding the way.

Turning pain into power, Equal Playing Field was the perfect first feature. It explores everything I’m passionate about: social equity, love, inclusion, unity, resilience, environmentalism.

I know my story is not unique – all artists have hardship in their blood. But if I had seen this film and was inspired by these women as a little girl, when one hand was rooted on the ground while the other was still reaching towards the sky, perhaps it wouldn’t have taken me a tragedy to live my truth and fight for my dream.

These remarkable women have changed my life forever. I can’t wait for them to change yours.

Amirose Eisenbach

Co-Director and Producer, Equal Playing Field

Why All the Guinness World Records?

By Co-Founder, Erin Blankenship

When our friends at Guinness World Records asked us if we wanted to help them celebrate #GWRDay this year, we knew we had to take part. Our friend, Deena Rahman of Tekkers Academy in Bahrain, was already scheming up another world record attempt so we chose to support her quest for a FIFTH Guinness World Record for the “Most Football Penalty Kicks Taken in 24 Hours”. Spoiler Alert: she absolute SMASHED it with 7,876 penalty kicks (the previous record was just over 1100).

After starting in 2017, Equal Playing Field has now achieved four Guinness World Records and helped Deena snag a fifth.

So what’s with all the record breaking? Great question!

When this all began, framing the Kilimanjaro game around a Guinness World Record was this singular way of legitimising the herculean effort involved in overcoming the mountains that girls and women face in sport everyday. It was a way of clearly articulating the level of challenge we are talking about, and something to hone our competitive focus. It’s hard to argue with a GWR and what setting or breaking one means for an athlete. It's inherently this level of achievement that stands out in a society arguably pretty crowded with voices claiming greatness, but it is also an intrinsic source of inspiration. Going after a GWR is about the dream, right? What might I achieve if I tried? Something we think resonates with everyone. It also makes people stop and take notice, which we use to draw attention to our cause and to mobilise a diverse array of allies to work for real change on the gender equality in and through sport agenda.

“Going after a GWR is about the dream, right? What might I achieve if I tried? “

Deena’s final penalty count after 24 hours!

Given the number we have now set, we understand why some people might think it's all about the records and the headlines that come with them. But EPF is actually really deliberate with the records we go after and the narrative we set for them. We want every single one to mean something not just to us, but to the people, organisations, and movement we represent. Every person involved in each record knows why they are there, near killing themselves to take on the impossible.

For Kilimanjaro, playing the highest elevation football game in history let us talk with authority about the invisible mountains that girls and women climb every day to just get by let alone be seen as equals on and off the pitch. The record at the Dead Sea was an opportunity to expand on the idea of top to bottom change, and do so in a region of the world most associated with gender discrimination especially in sport. France was about the importance of participation as a gateway for greater access and opportunity to play, as well as the power of inclusivity in the game. Deena's record of the past 24 hrs? Honestly what better record for 2020, a time when everyone on the planet can relate to that isolation, pressure, endurance and the mental toughness involved in a solo attempt at several thousand penalty kicks against the clock.

So what drives EPF to go after GWRs? We do them because we love a challenge, because they are an indisputable source of inspiration, and because they are a unique and powerful platform to share the stories that need to be heard and to advocate for real change on the things we care about. Officially amazing indeed.

Learn more about Guinness World Record’s annual #GWRDay Celebration!

Visit our YouTube Channel to rewatch some of the amazing interviews we hosted throughout Deena’s challenge!

A Penalty Shootout Marathon for #GWRDay!

It’s been a weird year…

…to say the least. Plans have been interrupted and staying connected with our global network of incredible supporters has gone entirely digital. Amidst the chaos though, we’ve been climbing stairs (a lot of them) and staying in touch with our friends at Guinness World Records.

When GWR mentioned that they will be celebrating #GWRDay this November 18th… we just couldn’t say no. With travel restrictions in place though, we’ve decided to help one of our own, Deena Rahman from Bahrain, break yet another World Record for the “Most Penalties Taken in 24 Hours”. She has world records with EPF from Mount Kilimanjaro, Jordan, and France… but can she get one in her own backyard?

Check out our Q&A with Deena below to learn more about the challenge!

So who is this Deena character? Let’s find out!

Q: First things first, what was your position as a player?
A: Central attacking midfielder

Q: How long have you been coaching?
A: Since I was 17 years old, so 20 years.

Q: How have you been keeping active and on top of your game in 2020?
A: I broke my foot last year and so in January I finally got out of the boot and started getting fit again. During lockdown I was in the UK and did some crazy challenges like running a marathon in my front garden. :) Since being back in Bahrain, I have been mixing it up with running, cycling and football training with my ladies team.

Q: Do you like taking penalties in matches?
A: I’m not that keen on taking penalties, however I do take them, I have been one of the 3 pen takers for Bahrain in recent tournaments.

Q: What position in the order do you prefer?
A: I think number 5. If you are the one to step up and score, that winning pen is the best. But it can also be the worst if it’s on you to keep your team in. Number one or 2 is prob the safest bet.

Q: What is your go-to shot?
A: My go-to shot I shouldn’t be telling you this ha! But is always power to the bottom right of the keeper

Now about this World Record attempt…

Q: What made you excited about this WR attempt in particular?
A: I was seeking out a team one for Tekkers (my Academy in Bahrain) and I came across the 24 hour penalty challenge and was automatically drawn to it… so i applied for it! I do like a challenge where you really feel like you earned it, so this is one of those challenges.

Q: Have you ever pulled an all nighter before?
A: I’m such a granny so not really. This will be half the challenge. However, in the last EPF world record my team and I did play the longest stint in the 5 aside match (7 hours starting at midnight) so I would say that’s the closest it gets.

Q: Do you plan to shoot with both legs so you don’t get tired or injured?
A: Yes I definitely plan on using both legs for this to try and avoid the fatigue in my right.

Q: How do you prepare for this specific task?
A: I think over the next few weeks I just need to try and look after myself and hopefully not pick up any silly injuries, hydrate, rest up, and then mentally just make sure I am ready to pull myself through it.

Q: What do you think will be the toughest hour?
A: It will have to be something in the middle of the night, probably like around 3am when it’s just unknown territory for me. I will want my bed, there won’t be many people around, I will nearly be at the end but still a good 4 hours off, so that’s where I think it could potentially hit me hard.

Q: Do they count if you miss the target?
A: Yes, it doesn’t matter if I score or not every penalty I take will count for the record.

From a coach’s perspective…

Q: What qualities make a good penalty taker?
A: You have to be confident to take penalties and know exactly where you want to put it. 

Q: What is the most challenging part of taking penalties (for you or in general)? 
A: It’s always going to be that fear of missing, the pressure you feel stepping up to take it can feel out of your control. 

Q: How can you practice penalty kicks?
A: Repetition is key, find your comfort zone with it and go for it. 

Q: How can you prepare for the mental side of taking a penalty?
Just trying to relax your mind, control your breathing, focus and strike that ball with confidence. Self talk is good too. 

Q: Should players pick one side or develop multiple shots?
A: The more options you are comfortable with when taking penalties is better. Any good GK will study players who take pens if you are in a cup game, so if you are predictable it’s easier for them. The trick is them not knowing what you might do. 

Q: If you have to retake a penalty, or take multiple in a game, should you switch your side?
A: That’s a tough one but I think when you are there at the time, you can vibe what you want to do and whether the keeper might guess your plan. I think I would stick with the same side most of the time though .

Q: What advice would you give to a player who’s missed a penalty in a match?
A: Don’t worry about it and move on quickly. I always tell my players it’s a lottery. Some you win and some you lose, but as a team you can never blame an individual for a penalty miss in a match or a shoot out. It takes guts to take one, so be proud you put yourself in that situation and if you miss, so be it. 

Q: What penalty taking skills can you apply to other areas of life?
A: Mind over matter. I think the mental game of a penalty can definitely help you deal with situations in every day life, and I would hope it would be the not giving up or disappointment of a miss but the determination, confidence and leadership to succeed or pick yourself up and dust yourself off when things don’t go your way, or enjoy the success when it comes. 

We can’t wait to watch this all go down! Be sure to tune in November 17-18 as we will be live streaming Deena’s penalty marathon and chatting with some special guests on our Instagram Live.

Our 4th Guinness World Record is Now Official!

After many months (seven to be exact) of waiting, we can officially confirm that we have set the Guinness World Record for the most players to appear in a five-a-side football match!

Match Stats!

• 822 players

• 700+ goals with a final score of Red 400 - Blue 371

• 75% female representation

• 69 hours of continuous play (day and night!) from June 28 - July 1

• 65 countries and 6 continents represented

• Top Goalscorers:

  • Andiswa Ndamane (17 Goals in 139 mins)

  • Ben Sandhu (16 Goals in 420 mins)

  • Clarissa Franklin (14 Goals in 174 mins)

Plus highlights from the Festival of Football:

• 104 non-profit organisations attended 

• 35 training sessions and workshops

• 43 female FIFA referees trained (from 25 countries!)

Congratulations to all 822 of you who took to the pitch under the hot Lyon sun to show the diverse nature of women's football around the world. We literally could not have done this without you. A special thank you also to all of our volunteers and those who supported from afar.

As with all of our world records, it's never just about the accomplishment. It's about raising our collective voices to demand OPPORTUNITY, EQUALITY and RESPECT for #AnyGirlAnywhere. Nothing more. Nothing less. 

Order a Certificate!

If you played in the five-a-side match from June 28 - July 1 and would like to officially commemorate the achievement, visit the link below to order a Record Holder's Certificate. You can locate the record by searching: Equal Playing Field

If you don't see your name listed, do not worry! The GWR site only has space for a limited number of names, but you can still order your certificate.

Let's Spread the Word!

You can celebrate with us on social media by downloading an image at the link below or post one of your own photos from the week!

Be sure to tag…

• @equalplayingfieldinitiative on Instagram 

• @EPFInitiative on Twitter

• and #AnyGirlAnywhere on both!