Karen Dare – super COG, referee, armchair critic and now competition winner!

Yesterday, Karen, was treated to an amazing prize after entering a Sure deodorant competition to go to the Chelsea Training Ground and meet/train with some of the Chelsea Women.  Here are her thoughts after an exciting day!

“I won a competition. The prize – an afternoon at Chelsea FC training ground at Cobham and a training session with Fran Kirby, Magdalena Ericsson & Maren Mjelde. Wow!

Upon arrival I was mooching around waiting for the other 7 winners to arrive when the Chelsea Women walked past, having just finished their training session. Good start.

We were then shown into a changing room where a selection of freebies were waiting for each of us – personalized training kit, new boots, shin pads, water bottle, kit bag and deodorant. The competition sponsor was SURE X….

After getting changed into the kit we had a tour of the facilities at Cobham. It is huge and very impressive, as you’d expect from a Premier League club. No filthy grass pitches here!  We then went into a training session with Chelsea coaches & while we were warming up the 3 Chelsea stars joined us and joined in. We spent 90 minutes doing some drills – dribbling, passing, shooting etc etc. It was such a laugh.  Afterwards we were given a tour of the Chelsea Women’s building by the 3 stars and bumped into Erin Cuthbert & Millie Bright…
The tour concluded with a ‘boot clear-out’ and we were all given signed players boots and had the opportunity for selfies and more questions.

Honestly, it was an amazing experience! The Chelsea players & coaches were very welcoming and relaxed. I never once felt like they were just ‘going through the motions’ or ‘couldn’t wait to get rid of us’.  That’s the great thing about women’s football – it is closely connected and accessible to the fans. Long may it continue that way.