TODAY, Monday, March 8, is International Women’s Day 2021, and Bradford City Women have been discussing what they have achieved over the last year, and what they are aiming to have in place going forward.

This year's IWD is centred around the #ChooseToChallenge campaign, which aims to encourage individual commitments to challenge inequality, call out bias and question stereotypes - and most importantly help forge an inclusive world.

And speaking of inclusivity, the women's game and the Bantams themselves are making good progress on that front.

On the City website, they said: "Within our own industry, it was not so long ago that women’s sport made up only seven per cent of the total sports coverage (according to the Women In Sport charity).

"Thankfully, that is now changing, with significant sponsorship deals in a number of sports, including football.

"Increased televised coverage is helping, too, with BT Sport regularly broadcasting Women's Super League and European games.

"In 2019, the Lionesses faced Germany in front of a record-breaking crowd of over 77,000, demonstrating that the appetite for women’s sport is growing rapidly.

"Closer to home, Bradford City have made great strides recently, joining the Community Foundation to become Bradford City AFC Women - from the 2021/22 season.

"This represents a massive stride for the club, that it is all as one under the Bradford City banner.

"While the women’s team remains amateur, it will benefit hugely from the commercial support available, along with the backing of the overall Community Foundation."

They added: "One of the key targets for the overall Women and Girls is to introduce more female coaches to the set-up. Currently, there is only one in each of the girls’ and women’s set-ups.

"The Community Foundation will be looking to recruit in time for the 2021/22 pre-season preparations from June onwards."

And City Women's manager Chris Hames said: "I do not need to stand here and talk on behalf of the brilliant women we have at this club. Their quality and achievement speaks for itself.

"I am honoured to be surrounded by great women - who inspire me every day - at the club, at home and throughout my life. I will be enjoying celebrating them today."