GEMMA Sims says her new role at Oxford United is evidence of the growing opportunities available to women in football.

The former U’s defender was announced as general manager of the women’s team earlier this month.

Sims will speak about her role during a special event at United’s training ground this evening, organised in partnership with the Her Game Too campaign.

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Female fans will get the chance to ask questions to the general manager, as well as women’s captain Lauren Haynes, coach Kath Faulkner and head of medical Amy Cranston.

BBC commentator Robyn Cowen will host the event, while men’s head coach Karl Robinson will introduce proceedings.

Sims feels it is the perfect time to harness the explosion of interest in the women’s game following England’s European Championships win this summer.

“You’re seeing a lot more women in football now,” she said.

“If I’m honest, I was never interested in the coaching side of women’s football so to know women can get involved in roles like this is brilliant.

“It’s the perfect time to come into this role.

“The excitement around women’s and girls’ football is off the scale, so it’s a great time to come in and do those things you’ve always wanted to do.”

Sims retired at the end of last season and her new responsibilities involve the day-to-day running of United Women and growing the game more widely.

Her switch from on to off-pitch duties has coincided with a major shift in women’s football in this country, thanks to England’s Euros triumph.

Sims said: “Now is the time to do it, with the interest as it is.

“It’s up to us to take control of that and keep that interest going.

“The result of the Euros got so many more people interested in women’s football who hadn’t watched it before.

“I have male friends who are going to go to their first England game on the back of that, so it’s incredible.

“We’re going to have a whole bunch of girls and women who have never played football and would like that opportunity.

“We need to make sure we get Oxford United Women out there as much as we ever have done.”