Empowering Students in Bolton: Bolton Wanderers in the Community recognise International Men’s Day
On Tuesday 12th November Bolton Wanderers in the Community (BWitC) hosted their International Men’s Day event at the Wellbeing Hub, sponsored by Vital Energi. Bringing together 13 male students from Key Stage 3 at Sharples Secondary School students participated in an empowering day of workshops, discussions, and engaging activities.
The event led by our Premier League Inspires Team offered an opportunity for the students to explore themes of masculinity, mental health, and self-awareness in a supportive and engaging environment. A behind-the-scenes stadium tour, where the students were given an opportunity to interact with staff from across the club to get an insight into the inner workings of Bolton Wanderers Football Club and engage with male staff in a range of roles.
A highlight of the day was the workshop led by Mike Nicholson, Founder of Progressive Masculinity. Mike created a safe space for the students to tackle pressing issues like societal stereotypes and how the expectations placed on young boys and men can impact mental health. Mike guided the students in exploring how these challenges can influence mental health and well-being, leaving them with new perspectives and empowering them to navigate future barriers and pressures with confidence.
Bolton Wanderers Football Club CFO Niaz Shazad joined us earlier in the week to record an interview delving into the importance of International Men’s Day. He shared his own experiences growing up and underscored the significance of finding positive male role models. Niaz’s reflections on mental health and societal barriers offered a relatable and empowering narrative for the students.
Closing off the event was the panel discussion, featuring BWFC first-team players George Thomason and Eoin Toal, alongside Mike Nicholson and Sam Akpan from the Premier League Communities’ Team. The group answered questions from the students, offering their personal insights into masculinity, mental health, and why celebrating International Men’s Day is crucial, reinforcing the importance of community support and positive role models.
The day ended with the students having the opportunity to meet their heroes up close with a photo opportunity and a chance to get their BWitC shirts signed by Thomason and Toal.
We hope this event acted as proof of the power of community and the importance of open conversations surrounding masculinity, mental health, and identity. By empowering the next generation, we continue our work toward to building a brighter, more inclusive future.
If you would like to find out more about our Premier League Inspires programme and how we can support your school or college please contact Gabriella at gdanby@bwitc.org.uk