On a Monday night at the state-of-the-art Bodington Football Hub, the floodlights are bright and the atmosphere is lively.
The Women’s Leeds City FC Beginner team is warming up, focused and determined.
After some fast-paced drills, the excitement builds as they prepare for a competitive match.
Helen is one of the founders of the team, encouraged by the West Riding Women’s Beginner League and the Football Association’s ‘If You Can See It, She Can Be It’ campaign, which aims to boost female participation in the sport.
Helen says, “I used to play before I had children and then got back into five-a-side with my friends… We got asked to go into a league, so I got some women together.
“I think for me it’s to keep fit and I’m with my friends so it’s a social thing as well.”
In Leeds, women are taking charge and reshaping the future of football, making it accessible, inclusive, and enjoyable for all.
Attending her first session, Emma is getting back into football after having kids. She has always played sports, saying, “I used to play on the boys’ team a lot.
“There was one period during my teen years where there weren’t any teams, or you had to travel all over Leeds to get a match.”
When asked why women in sport are important, Emma says, “Now I have a daughter and I love the thought that she will be able to do any sport she wants - skateboarding, climbing, football - and there will be girls’ sport accessible to her.”
Mike, who offers some guidance in training sessions, agrees. Female participation in sport is “massively important and long overdue.”
“The numbers are good at young ages, but there is still a big dropout post-16. We are always trying to encourage people more… it’s never too late to get involved,” he adds.
Sport has the power to drive gender equality by empowering women, teaching independence, and building confidence.
Women in sport challenge gender stereotypes, promote female leadership and provide inspiring role models.
Yet a 2022 report by Women in Sport has found that more than 43% of teenage girls who previously identified as ‘sporty’ disengage from sport following primary school.
The beginner training sessions aim to change this, open to all women, with a current age range of sixteen to sixty.
Ellis, age 17, says, “I like to play football because it’s really fun. I’ve got loads of friends there.”
Abbi, age 48, has been playing for a month.
“I thought it would be too competitive but it’s not, it’s just fun and everybody’s kind when you’re still learning.”
As the match draws to a close, the women on the field give their all, pushing through to the final whistle. Smiling and energised, they exchange high-fives as they gather up their gear.
With a sense of accomplishment, they head off into the night, already looking forward to the next game.
Whether new or returning, young or old, these women are proving that it’s never too late to get involved—and they’re shaping the future of football for generations to come.
