Women in Football - is it accepted?

So.....as my first blog, I thought I'd start with something interesting.

On Monday 7th July I was invited to attend a Women in Football event in London by the Assistant Editor of Football Focus, and took part in a networking event at White Hart Lane and met numerous women from around the country, working in football.

Whilst I was slightly disappointed that Gus Poyet wasn't there as promised, Rebecca Lowe from Setanta TV's Access All Areas didn't disappoint. Her talk about being called a "slut" by 2000 football fans at Oxford and constant bum pinching from footballers and fans whilst on camera really brought home what women in football have to endure.

Will things really have changed by the time I get a job in football? I very much doubt it. When I spoke to John Inverdale earlier this year in Lincoln, he assured me that the perception of women in sport has definitely changed and that there is room for female commentators and sports journalists. I'm not so sure.

Women seem to be respected for commentating on women's sports; women's football and rugby even, but for some reason, I can't see men changing there perception of women with regards to typically "male" sport. And particularly, older, traditional men. Despite my passion for it, I know even my brother takes the mick when I speak to him about football...it's just one of those things.

So how can it be stopped? The Women in Football networking event I went to was perfect, and it shows the real commitment of so many women making a successful living out of working in football. From female football agents to BBC sports reporters and commentators, and from England football players to CEOs of Premiership football clubs, this event opened my eyes to the world of football and the women inside it.

Why shouldn't women be involved in football? Half of the footballers are diving around and making a fuss like women anyway!