Football in the community across four generations

Friday, March 8th 2019

Four generations of women from one family are getting involved in football through the Bristol City Community Trust.

Ruby-Lee, the youngest of the four generations at 13 years old, was the first to start coming to our women’s and girl’s sessions almost three years ago.

The lack of opportunity for girls to get involved in football was identified by three teenage members of our youth council (Lauren, Grace and Mel) who had the idea of starting up our women’s and girl’s sessions as a means of getting more women involved in football. This scheme has since received national recognition and won the FA women’s football award for best participation initiative.

Ruby-Lee was one of the first participants in these female sessions and has since flourished as a footballer becoming more confident in both her ability and herself. She now not only takes part in the sessions, but also plays for local girls’ team Stockwood Wanders.

Alena, Mandy and Diane getting involved in our F3 fitness session at South Bristol Sports Centre

Word spread of these women’s football sessions from Ruby-Lee to her mother Alena, and with some encouragement from Bristol City Community Trust coaches, Alena started taking part in the F3 fitness sessions which run alongside our Premier League Girls programme.

From here, the word further spread to Alena’s mother, Mandy, and Grandmother, Diane, who also began attending the sessions. They have now both been attending them for nearly two months.

Coach Jon Pinches, who oversees the running of the Bristol City Community Trust Women’s football sessions, said, “It’s great to see so many women and girls coming along to our sessions and getting involved, but to have four generations of one family all in attendance really is something special. It really exemplifies that football is a game for all.”

He added, “A lot of the girls use our sessions as a springboard to go on and get stuck into grassroots football, with many following Ruby-Lee’s example and joining local sides. This is great for the sport as a whole.”

Alena told the Trust that, “I am really enjoying the sessions and am seeing improvements in both my fitness and health.

“I am now also bringing my friends along to the sessions as well as my Mum and Gran.”

Diane, who hadn’t played football in around fifty years, told the trust that, “it’s really nice to be getting active and playing sports again that I haven't played for many years.”

To find out more about the sessions and the work that we do at the Community Trust click here.