Joy has been attending the Women’s Beginners Football sessions at The Arsenal Hub since they began in April. As a lifelong Arsenal fan, she was eager to give it a go when she heard about the opportunity, and has been a regular ever since.
Project: Women’s Beginners Football
Running time: Since April 2024
Where and when: Tuesdays 7.30-8.30pm at The Arsenal Hub
Partner: Premier League Fans Fund
“I’m absolutely loving the sessions. Even on days when I feel drained after work, it’s always uplifting and energising, and I’m glad I made the effort to come. It’s a great stress-buster! That was one of my reasons for joining, especially as someone who doesn’t generally enjoy the gym. But the main reason was my love of football – I’ve always supported Arsenal – and my desire to learn how to play. Growing up I was part of a generation that was firmly told I couldn’t play at school, so I never really had the opportunity. I didn’t know how to access football elsewhere as a child or young woman, and I probably lacked the confidence, too.
“After a few weeks I encouraged my daughter, Zenani, to join me. She fell in love with football after watching the Olympics last time. Although we encouraged her to try football clubs when she was younger, the general feeling from others at the time was that it wasn’t really for her. Now she’s loving learning how to play. She tried a couple of sessions at college but didn’t feel confident going on her own. I’m so glad she’s now found a way to learn the game in an environment where she feels comfortable. It’s been brilliant that, when I haven’t been able to make it, Zenani has felt confident and happy enough to come to The Hub without me.
“It’s wonderful to feel part of a community and to meet other women who share the same passion. That’s one of the best things to come from the growth of the game and the increasing awareness of it – it has made football feel much more accessible for women and girls of all ages. The sessions at The Arsenal Hub are brilliant for providing that. We both really enjoy practising our skills, and the fact that the coaches pause the games to give us feedback is so helpful.”
These sessions are a real passion project for our Women and Girls’ Coordinator Billie Graham, and seeing the players establish a strong and supportive female community has been incredibly rewarding.
“We wanted to create a space for women who love the game and love Arsenal, but perhaps didn’t have the opportunity to play growing up, like many young girls are starting to have now. It was vital that the environment felt warm, welcoming and supportive so that women felt confident starting as beginners, even as adults.
“To see our first mother and daughter attending together is heartwarming – it tells me we’re doing something right. Both Joy and Zenani are improving every week, and it’s clear they’re gaining more from these sessions than just football skills: they’re enjoying spending time together doing something they both love.”
Women’s Beginners Football is supported by the Premier League Fans Fund. The Premier League Fans Fund provides grants to support football clubs at all levels of the game to strengthen connections between them, their fans and local communities.
For more information email Women & Girls’ Football Development Coordinator Billie Graham at bgraham@arsenal.co.uk.
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