I played football and other sports when I was younger. I was never amazing at any of them and was very much one of those “what she lacks in skill she makes up for in enthusiasm” type players but it never stopped me enjoying it.
Life sort of took over into adulthood and as studies ended and work began. Then came parenting and family life. And before I knew it was in my late 30s and hadn’t played a team sport in 15 years.
I started coaching u8s football. I only got into it because my eldest son’s team needed a coach and I understand the game at least. The more I got into the coaching the more extra development work I did on that side beyond the Level 1.
On a Female Coaching Development Programme run by the Manchester FA in late 2023, I met a woman who runs a recreational women’s football group close to me. We got chatting and I decided to go play.
I loved it. And then in November 2023, spurred on by my recreational sessions and encouraged by my local club’s Chairman, I started a similar group within my local club.
Less than one year one we’ve got an over 30s squad made up of a really diverse range of players, some with no playing experience at all, playing in the Manchester Women’s Flexi League.
And then on top of that, I took up rugby (union) a few weeks ago and am still getting my head around the rules but very much enjoying it!
I do a lot of hiking, so it wasn’t like I wasn’t getting any exercise. But I thought team sports might give me a level of accountability that made me work harder physically.
It worked.
But what I also discovered is the benefits of a team sport (as opposed to solo exercising in any other way) go far beyond just exercise and I think this matters particularly for women who are generally a lot less likely to play such sports after becoming parents.
So, let’s talk about these benefits!
Better Mental Health
Women and girls who play sport have lower levels of depression.
We know exercise is linked to better mental health. I find it lowers stress as well.
But I have found there’s something in the social side of exercising with others in a team environment that leaves you feel better after as well.
Increased Confidence
This will no doubt tie in with better mental health. We know women and girls struggle with confidence. But the Women’s Sports Foundation reports higher levels of confidence amongst those playing sports.
Accountability does Make You Push Harder
I find this in many areas of my life. If I’m solo hiking, I’ll be likelier to stop when I feel tired than if I’m hiking with a group who want to push on.
When you’re playing sports in a team, you’re working for the team and, in my experience, it gives the little bit of a push you need to keep going that little bit longer and further.
So I invariably find myself working at higher heart rate levels more consistently with fewer rests when I’m active in a team environment.
Socialising is Critical
The football team I manage is all over 30s with over half of our squad in their 40s.
Most are parents.
For some, football is the one thing they consistently do in a week that is for themselves and where they’re surrounded by likeminded adults.
We’ve made friends through football. Players in the team have told me directly that it has been something of a mental lifeline for them through times of crisis. It’s so important to have social contact like this.
Finding Women’s Sport Near You
The most common barrier, in my view, to women playing a sport as an amateur is the fear of not being good enough.
But there are so many friendly, welcoming women’s sports teams that I would actively encourage anyone to get out and give it a go.
The FA’s JustPlay football finder lets you find sessions near you (in England only though) and a quick Google search will show up women’s teams near you too.
England Rugby have a club finder as well. But whatever your sport, a quick Google search will likely show some results.
The first session going into a new team (particularly if it’s also a new sport) can be overwhelming and nerve wracking. I experienced this myself when I joined a rugby team for the first time back in September 2024.
But it’s so worth it. Go on! Get playing.