The theme of International Women’s Day 2023
#EmbraceEquity
Imagine a gender equal world.
A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination.
A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive.
A world where difference is valued and celebrated.
Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.
One of the missions of this years International Women’s Day is ‘Women and Sport’.
MISSION: To celebrate women athletes and applaud when equality is achieved in pay, sponsorship and visibility.
Abbeycroft is proud to have many female Sporting Ambassadors…
Lesley Linden
Triathlon and Duathlon
After entering her first sprint duathlon in 2014 aged 56, Lesley has since represented GB for her age group in the European Championships and most recently at the 2022 Sprint Duathlon World Championships in Romania, finishing 9th in her age group.
Now aged 64 she has again qualified for the 2023 World championships and still feels there’s plenty of room for improvement!
Maya Price
College basketball player in the USA
During her sixth form studies at Ipswich Basketball Academy (Copleston High School), Maya played Suffolk, the East region, and Great Britain at U18 and U20. After playing one year in the WBBL for Newcastle Eagles, Maya headed to Florida where she is currently in her 4th year at Eckerd University where she has won her conference and achieved Player of the Year.
Jo Coates
Long distance and endurance athlete
Jo competes in endurance running events both on the track and road over distances from 3000m to marathon at a National level in the UK and in Spain as well as internationally as a Master for GB.
Jo has achieved 15th place in the London Marathon and more recently has been crowned champion over 10,000m at the British Masters.
Lilia Kearney
Trampolining
Lilia got into trampolining by accident and has loved it from the first time but has only recently got back to the national circuit after fighting back following Lost Move Syndrome.
This year she has been competing in British and English competitions up and down the country with the hope of getting back into the GB squad.
Abi Byrne
Football referee
Abi is a Women’s FIFA Referee operating internationally in the Women’s Champions League and International fixtures, and domestically on the Women’s Super League (WSL) and men’s National League.
Highlights include officiating on 3 FA Women’s Cup Finals, including refereeing the 2019 final between Manchester City & West Ham, and refereeing the 2021 Women’s Continental Cup Final between Chelsea & Bristol City.
Lyric Allen
Athlete – sprinter
Lyric has had a fabulous outdoor season in her first season as an U15s athlete qualifying for the National Prep Schools Athletics Championships where she became the 100m and 300m national champion and representing Norfolk at the English Schools Championship and coming 7th overall in the 300m and achieving a bronze medal in the 4x100m.
She has been able to gain some PBs this season but mostly this season has given her a real passion to continue getting out there and competing.
Her biggest fan is her mum, and she feels she wouldn’t be where she is without her driving her around and cheering her on.
Tia Leaver
Athlete - sprinter - long jumper
Tia is multi-talented when it comes to sport but was identified as having a gift for running and jumping and was taken into Dwain Chambers Performance Academy at the age of 7 where she has since been training.
For her age Tia is number 1 in the UK for long jump, in the top 20 for sprinting and in the last few months has become ISA national champion for both Long Jump and relays and super sports champion in Southend where she broke the long jump record for boys and girls.