UWWFC put on charity match in support of GoalsForGirls

Last Saturday (12 June), members of the University of Warwick Women’s Football Club (UWWFC) went up against a team of alumni former players to raise money for GoalsForGirls, an organisation that provides programmes to support young footballers attempting to make their way in the game.

The match was set up in collaboration with 50 Lost Years, a charity that promotes women’s football and educates on the history of women’s football, and was a closely fought affair, with the UWWFC team racing back from a two-goal deficit to tie the match at 4-4.

The alumni side led 3-1 at half-time, with some great strikes along the way, underlining the quality on show from both sides. What was more important than the result, however, was the spirit from the teams, as they clearly enjoyed the experience of being back on the football pitch, following nearly a year away, a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Commenting on experience of playing regular football once again, captain Becky Jenks stated that:

“We’ve sorely missed playing football during the pandemic so any opportunity to play again is great. The benefit, both physically and mentally, has been massive, especially during the exam period, where football has been such a valuable place to socialise.”

One of the key impacts of the pandemic has been the removal of the release that sport provides, and, as restrictions begin to be removed, sport’s return has been a welcome break, alleviating the pressures of day-to-day life as we can meet up, chat, and enjoy ourselves with our friends once again.

Away from the simple experience of playing in the match, the wider goal was to raise money for a support the two charities, GoalsForGirls and 50 Lost Years.

50 Lost Years was started to inspire more females to engage in football using the incredible story of the game’s history

– Ellie Reid, 50 Lost Years

Ellie Reid, of 50 Lost Years, gave a brief explanation of the charity’s goals, and the importance of matches such as this:

“50 Lost Years was started to mark the centenary since the ban on women’s football for 50 years and to inspire more females to engage in football using the incredible story of the game’s history.

“This is why we felt it was important to celebrate those women who didn’t get the opportunities in football we have today and for playing through prejudice and discrimination in an exhibition football match. It has been great to see women’s football grow at Warwick over the years from just two teams of similar ability to now four teams ranging from beginner to elite.

“Although the pandemic halted the continued growth of the club, the previous and new exec have done a great job to keep the club’s spirit high going into next season. It’s great to be back playing and hopefully get back on the journey of growing the game at Warwick!”

For years, the football community has been fractured by gender discrimination, and the likes of GoalsForGirls and 50 Lost Years are changing this, supporting women who otherwise would be prevented from pursuing their footballing career, and allowing them to achieve their goals.

In the past, players such as England legend Fara Williams have had to make immense sacrifices to play the game full-time, with paltry wages paling in comparison to the thousands earned by the men. Sacrifices as drastic as Williams’ should not have to be made, and charities such as these go some way to closing the gap to the male game.

This process is by no means over, however, as there is still immense gender discrimination in the sport, with the facilities in the women’s game still significantly lacking when compared to the men, while the gender pay gap is still shockingly immense.

A case in point is the USA women’s national team, which, despite being far more successful than the men’s, is still paid less, despite the campaigning efforts of Megan Rapinoe, among others.

The game between UWWFC and the alumni was testament to how far the club has grown in recent years as the sport’s popularity has skyrocketed, with initiatives such as this match underlining how football is a sport for all, not just for men.

If you would like to donate to GoalsForGirls, the JustGiving link is here: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/goalsforgirls?utm_term=NKDpMGdAR&fbclid=IwAR1O47aiu77w-uA_ULQafa45oblT5R7pmxcyzC5mqqq7i0QvIl_W9d7M8R4