I am sure that all Manchester City teams would agree when I say there is nothing like local love. As Manchester City emerged from the tunnel onto home soil, a massive blue welcome poured throughout the stands. Since I was sitting in the press box, I had an excellent view of the pitch, but it also meant I was close to the fans. ‘Go on City’, and similar chants emerged from the stands and the energy was fierce. If you can’t attend a game, there are different ways to support your local team. This includes buying their merchandise, re-sharing their social media posts, and volunteering for any programmes they organise.
Women’s football is on the rise. Hopefully, they will be playing in the bigger stadiums every weekend, competing in packed stadiums. As of now, WSL games are taking place in smaller stadiums, like Joie Stadium. Due to the stadiums being smaller, you are closer to the pitch. Therefore, you are more likely to get a cheaper ticket, a better view and fan experience, in comparison to the teams competing at a bigger venue. For people who are intimidated by large crowds, going to smaller games, while they are still small, is a great way to gradually overcome that fear too.
It wasn’t until 53 years ago that women were allowed to play football. If you know anyone who would like to see professional football players perform at their best, why not take them to a WSL game? If your local grassroots team needs an offside official, volunteer. If they need a coach for a weekly game, don’t be afraid to give it a go. Even little things like providing refreshments can go a long way. Who doesn’t
like tea, biscuits, and football on a bright Sunday morning? It is so important that young girls have access to playing facilities and role models to look up to. For instance, Aston Villa’s Katie Robinson started playing football at a grassroots level. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a proper place of training for a girls’ team in her local area, so she had to play for two local boys’ teams instead.
Imagine if there was. Imagine if young girls in your community had a place where they could play football, be themselves and watch their role models dominate the pitch. Many professional footballers, men and women, begin playing at a young age, through a local team. Without grassroots football, the support of volunteers, and adequate facilities, how can the younger generation get into football and maintain an interest in it?
Personally, I have seen the joy grassroots football can bring, especially when people come together for a beautiful game of football. Back in 2020, my older brother and his friends started up their own football team, FC BALLR. Regardless of their everyday commitments, they created the time to compete in the Essex Corinthian Sunday League. During the time it was in operation, players, friends, and family would come together during their games, and help in any way they could. Aunties would cook care packages for the post-match hunger, and others would bake sweet treats for the spectators. What was my role you ask? Obviously, I was the best cheerleader they had ever seen!
Community is necessary for grassroots sports to thrive. A few hours a week will go a long way, and your actions will not be forgotten. If there is anything you take away from this, support those around you.
Between the cost of living and Christmas quickly approaching, community is needed more than ever. I hope this piece has played a part in inspiring you to be the change you’d like to see in your community.
