BRENTFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Daichi Kamada of Crystal Palace warms up prior to the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Crystal Palace FC at Gtech Community Stadium on August 18, 2024 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Introducing your CPFC Supporters Group for Women
Last month, Crystal Palace announced the formation of an independent dedicated CPFC Supporters Group for Women.
Comprised of both women and men, the group will be dedicated to further strengthening an inclusive and supportive environment for women within not only the club’s fanbase, but also the wider community. By promoting belonging, respect, and empowerment, the fan-led group will strive to tackle sexism in football and amplify women’s voices.
A selection process has been undertaken for representatives across a broad range of supporter categories, ensuring the breadth of the Palace fanbase is represented – and the group is due to meet for the first time in the near future.
To celebrate the launch of the group, we are pleased today – International Women’s Day – to introduce Co-Chair, Karen ‘Kaz’ Lorimer – and announce your representatives.
CPFC Supporters Group for Women
- Sian Blake: Co-Chair, Men’s Season Ticket Holder
- Kaz Lorimer: Co-Chair, Men’s Season Ticket Holder
- Alexander Crede: Adult Member
- Sophie Hayes: Men’s Season Ticket Holder
- Aoni Hussain: Men’s Season Ticket Holder
- Jenny Prior: Gold Member
- Beki Salmon: Men’s Season Ticket Holder
- Tyler Sasse: International Member
- Louise Tingey: Supporter who regularly travels away
- Kadelia Wilkins: Women’s Season Ticket holder
Meet Kaz
Kaz has been a Crystal Palace supporter for over 20 years now, despite previously having split allegiances in her family.
“Originally, my family were Chelsea fans,” Kaz explained. “But when we moved to Croydon, I came here for a Palace match against Chelsea, sitting over there [in the Holmesdale] like I do now.
“The feeling [I had] going to the game was just electric. Everyone was friendly and then, coming into the stadium, that atmosphere just grew. I felt really at home, I felt really comfortable, and I thought: ‘yeah, these are my people.’
“I’d not felt like that at football before. I thought: ‘I want to be a Season Ticket Holder’ – and now I sit here and cheer on Palace every game.”
Over the last two decades, Kaz has seen a noticeable change in the demographics of supporters who sit alongside her in the Holmesdale – and now wants to help and inspire the next generation of female supporters.
“Thinking back 20 years ago, I was probably the only female in and around the area I was sat in. Now, I’d say there’s around 20 female supporters alone in the same block as me.
“Some supporters around us might have had to adapt to that change, but I think that’s a real positive and gives us a good ground base to build from.
“Having spoken to the club and heard how they want to make things better for female fans, and showing the aspiration to support this new group, it’s a real positive. To have this unique position [as Co-Chair], it’s an opportunity to be a trailblazer.”
