Forest Green Rovers players Ben Tozer and Ryan Inniss have pledged their support to Her Game Too by becoming Player Advocates.

Forest Green Rovers were one of the first clubs to partner with Her Game Too back in 2021, and now two of their defenders who are passionate about providing a bright future for females in football have stepped forward to become campaign advocates.

The Gloucestershire club, which has a men’s team in the National League and a women’s team in the Regen Arable South West Regional Women’s Football League, is known for its commitment to sustainability and ethical practices, including promoting social equity, and has held dedicated fixtures and promoted the campaign around the New Lawn stadium since partnering.

Ben started his career as a youth player at Plymouth Argyle and went on to play for clubs including Northampton Town, Newport County, Cheltenham Town and Wrexham, before joining Forest Green Rovers last summer.

The 34-year-old captained Wrexham during their record-breaking National League title-winning season in 2022/23 and is renowned for his long throw-ins.

Ben said: "I’m delighted to be supporting the Her Game Too campaign; not only in football but in sport too, it’s great that women are getting more opportunities.

“The more coverage they get will inspire younger girls, which will only improve the quality over the coming years.”

There are some important females in Ben’s life who have motivated him to achieve success in football, including his wife and daughter.

“Ever since I met her, my wife’s encouraged me and helped me throughout my career and my life as well, and since my daughter came into the world that’s an added motivation.

“My daughter’s my main inspiration as I want her to grow up to have the same chances as everyone else does – in life, football, sport, whatever she wants to do – and hopefully she’ll have an equal playing field.”

Ben has always enjoyed taking part community work as a player, such as visiting schools and hospitals: “It’s always nice that, even though some of the kids don’t have a clue who you are, you can brighten up their day and inspire them a little bit.”

He is keen to raise awareness of Her Game Too both in person and on social media, and is excited for the future of women’s football after witnessing the impact of the Lionesses’ successes in winning EURO 2022 and reaching the World Cup final in 2023.

“It’s sad that women’s football was banned in England for almost 50 years, which is quite damning really, so you can understand why the women’s game is a bit behind in terms of quality, but it’s catching up and I think the standard of women’s football has got so much better.”

Exposure through televised female matches, getting people talking about the women’s game and financial investment is all going to help to continue that growth, according to Ben.

“The catalyst is the country doing well because everyone seems to get behind them and be inspired by that.”

Ben’s team-mate in the Forest Green Rovers backline and fellow Her Game Too Player Advocate, Ryan, joined the National League side in 2023, having previously played for Charlton Athletic, Newport County and Colchester United among others, as well as representing England at youth level.

Ryan is passionate about raising awareness of mental health support and giving back to the community.

Watching his ten-year-old niece has inspired him to want to ensure girls’ grassroots football benefits from the evolution of the top level of the women’s game.

“Me and my family love to watch her enjoy it and, seeing the growth at that level, it’s clear the top level is having an impact,” Ryan said.

“The game itself is growing rapidly so, for me, it’s about ensuring that filters down to grassroots, as I’ve got that direct link with my niece and I’ve seen the change and growth at that level, so if we can see that filter out to schools and community projects as well that would be great.

“I’ve got experience of attending grassroots level at under-10s, under-11s and under-12s and, speaking to the coaches there, the influx of girls coming along in their kits, wanting to get muddy and get stuck in, is brilliant.

“My focus is lower down and trying to support that - the bigger the game is, the more opportunities my niece is going to have as she gets older.”

During his time at Charlton Athletic, Ryan witnessed the development of the club’s senior female side in the second tier of the women’s pyramid.

“Getting to know some of the women in the team and watching their progress was really positive and I built relationships and still speak to some of them now.

“The women’s game is really growing and the Her Game Too representatives at Forest Green have also reached out to the lads here to make us aware of the work they’re doing, so that’s commendable as well.”

Ryan is keen to use his status as a professional footballer to help promote Her Game Too, whether that’s to “draw more girls to feel comfortable to come and watch the matches” or by supporting coaches in the female game.

In 2022, Ryan was named PFA Community Player of the Year for League One for his voluntary work while playing for Charlton, which included regularly attending the club’s Premier League Kicks sessions to help young people make positive life choices.

“Through the community work I’ve done, it’s given people a voice and feeling that they’re equal in terms of letting them voice their message and get in the right circles.”

Forest Green Rovers are dedicating their back-to-back men’s and women’s fixtures to Her Game Too on Saturday, 15 March, to mark International Women’s Day and celebrate the campaign.

The double header will see the men’s team host Southend United before the women play at the New Lawn stadium for the second time this season when they face Pucklechurch.

Forest Green Rovers Women are pushing for promotion this season and Ben says it’s a great opportunity for spectators who haven’t seen Louise Fensome’s side in action before to support them in their exciting campaign.

“If we get people staying on after our game and watching the women’s game it can only help, and their performance is ultimately going to help as well - results are what get people in and get them talking about it,” Ben added.

Debbie Stopford, Her Game Too Ambassador for Forest Green Rovers, said: “I would like to thank Ben and Ryan for their involvement in, and support for, our campaign.

“We are really looking forward to working with them to raise awareness of Her Game Too and promote the campaign at Forest Green Rovers.”