Joy has been attending Beginner Women’s Football sessions at the Arsenal Hub since they started in April. A lifelong Arsenal fan, when he heard about the opportunity he wanted to try it and has been a regular ever since.

Project: Beginning Women’s Football

Running time: since April 2024

Where and when: Tuesdays between 19.30-20.30 at The Arsenal Hub

Partner: Premier League Fans Fund

“I absolutely love the sessions. Even on days when I feel exhausted after work, it’s always refreshing and energizing, and I’m glad I made the effort to come. A great stress reliever! This was one of the reasons why I joined, especially as someone who doesn’t really like the gym. But the real reason was my love of football – I always supported Arsenal – and my desire to learn how to play. Growing up I was part of a generation that was told for sure I wouldn’t be able to play in school, so I never got that opportunity. As a child or as a young woman I didn’t know how to access football anywhere else and probably lacked confidence in myself.

“A few weeks later, I encouraged my daughter Zenani to join me. He fell in love with football after watching the latest Olympics. Although we encouraged him to try football clubs when he was younger, the general feeling from others at the time was that it wasn’t for him. Now he loves learning how to play. She tried a few sessions at university but wasn’t sure she could continue on her own. I’m so glad he’s now found a way to learn the game in an environment where he feels comfortable. It’s great that Zenani was confident and happy enough to come to The Hub without me, even though I couldn’t make it.

“It’s great to feel part of a community and meet other women who share the same passion. This is one of the best things to come from the growth and awareness of the game; It has made football much more accessible to women and girls of all ages. Sessions at The Arsenal Hub are perfect for delivering this. “We both really like to improve our skills and it is also very useful when the coaches pause matches to give us feedback.”

These sessions are a real passion project for our Women and Girls Coordinator, Billie Graham, and it has been incredibly rewarding to see the players build a strong and supportive community of women.

“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 was warm, welcoming and supportive so that women, from beginners and even adults, felt safe.

“It’s so heartening to see our first mother and daughter come together; This tells me we are doing something right. “Both Joy and Zenani are improving every week and it is clear that they have gained more from these sessions than just their football skills: they enjoy spending time together doing something they both love.”

For more information email Billie Graham, Women’s and Girls’ Football Development Coordinator, at [email protected].