International Women’s Day: Hattie Jones’ story

We will celebrate International Women's Day at this weekend's match against Walsall, and as part of the club’s celebrations I am honoured to share my football journey, which started in Gloucestershire.

Growing up in a football household, it has always been my passion, I couldn't escape it.

I have so many memories of my dad coaching my sister and I at Dursley Town. We were really lucky to be part of an all-girls set up there, right from an early age until I left for Bristol Academy (now Bristol City) as a teen.

A few years later I was offered a scholarship in America, where it really was like the movies. Women’s sport was taken as seriously as men’s, and I loved how the community cheered on every team.

My senior year was a real struggle however, missing most of the season through injury, before the pandemic sent the world into chaos.

I was sent home, broken, and never got a proper graduation.

Post-pandemic I was searching for a new chapter and found a home here. Rosie Dimery was one of a few friends that encouraged me to come along to a training session.

After two years away from football, it was the breath of fresh air that I needed.

I sit here having just completed my third season at the club, and feel just as proud wearing the captain’s armband as I did the first time that I put it on three years ago.

Those occasions where we get to play at The New Lawn are always a joy, stepping on the same pitch as some very talented footballers.

My favourite moment in a Rovers shirt was there, our 5-1 win in the FA Cup against Almondsbury. My family came to watch me score a brace that day, which was a special feeling after four years of missing them in the crowd.

Doing that as captain, in front of the people who have supported me through it all, was quite surreal, and a proud moment. I’m forever grateful that I stuck through the tough moments, and that my family were able to support me in doing so. 

Occasions like this fixture, and our games at the stadium are vital to the growth of womens sport, because we’ve still got a long way to go.

The campaign is over 100 years old, and while we're getting closer to the world equality that the campaign is fighting for, sexism still exists throughout women’s sport.

There are often some misconceptions about the day, some may feel that we as women have already fought for enough, but that is exactly why it is so important.

We must continue to fight for that equality, and I thank the club for celebrating that on Saturday.

My message to all the young girls who will attend, many for the first time, is to never give up in that fight. Just because we are finally getting some recognition, it doesn't mean it is over.

It took some really courageous women to fight for our right to vote, and it will take some extremely brave women and girls today to earn the equality we so rightfully deserve.