The manager of the North Walkden Women’s football team is looking to strengthen the team with new players.
The North Walkden FC open age women’s team was created in April 2023. Before entering a league, the team was created to bring women of North Walkden together to improve fitness, mental health and to provide a social community.
After a few months of gathering a team, manager Becky Staines entered the team into the Greater Manchester Women’s Football League to give those who are interested a chance of playing competitively.
Due to multiple injuries, the team is now looking for new players to join to strengthen the team.
The team trains Tuesday evenings 6.30pm – 7.30pm at St Edmunds RC Primary School, Little Hulton.
The community driven group has players ranging from ages 15 to 35. The team is open to women 16+ to play competitively, though anyone is welcome to just attend training. Becky urges anyone who wants to play to attend, even if they are not interested in playing competitively.
Becky said: “I still have some women that come that aren’t part of the team but want it for the fitness, for the training, for the social side of it.
“We’ve had some girls that have come down that had never touched a football before in their life.”
North Walkden Women’s football club joined the Greater Manchester League less than a year ago and they are currently 10th in the league as of February 2024. Becky said: “We could’ve been a lot higher up in the league I think, without the injuries that we’ve had.”
Outside of games and training, the team doesn’t lose the community spirit, Becky is very passionate about her team, she said: “After the games on a Sunday we go to a local pub that has sponsored us and they’ll put food on for us”
[Credit: Becky Staines]
After the UEFA Women’s Euros in 2022, the FA reported that there was a 140 per cent increase in participation levels in the season off the back of the tournament. This data was provided by the FA and was based on estimated figures of total participation in any type of football.
“At my under 12s team, the parents think that the girls should be ten times better than they are now and I have to keep reminding them we’re actually seven years behind the boys,” Becky said.
The North Walkden boys’ team, have all trained together with the same manager from about five years old as the manager moves up with them. “So, we’re catching up massively,” Becky added.
Becky urges anyone who is interested in women’s football to give it a go, whether that is going down just for fitness or for a more competitive game.
The team’s next game takes place at the Lowry Academy against JPS FC Ladies on Sunday 10th March.
Becky said: “You can only regret it if you don’t like it. Just go for it and come and see us.”
For more information, contact Becky Staines on 07796004090
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