Joy has been taking part in the girls’ beginner’s football sessions at the Arsenal Hub since they started in April. As a lifelong Arsenal fan, she was keen to give it a go when she heard about the opportunity, and has been a regular ever since.

Project: Beginner women’s football

Operating time: Since April 2024

Where and when: Tuesdays from 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at The Arsenal Hub

Partner: Premier League Supporters Fund

“I love the sessions. Even on days when I feel exhausted after work, it’s still inspiring and energizing, and I’m glad I made the effort to come. It’s an excellent stress reliever! It’s one of the reasons I joined, especially as someone who generally doesn’t like the gym. But the main 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 firmly told I couldn’t play at school, so I never really got the opportunity. I didn’t know how to access football elsewhere as a child or young woman, and I probably lacked confidence too.

“After a few weeks, I encouraged my daughter Zenani to join me. She fell in love with football after watching the Olympics last time. Although we had encouraged her to try club football when she was younger, the general feeling from others at the time was that it wasn’t really for her. Now she loves learning to play. She tried a few sessions at university, but didn’t feel confident going it alone. I’m so happy that she has now found a way to learn the game in an environment where she feels comfortable. It’s great that, even though I wasn’t able to attend, Zenani felt confident and happy enough to come to the Hub without me.

“It’s wonderful to feel part of a community and meet other women who share the same passion. This is one of the best things that has come from the growth of the game and the increasing awareness of the sport: it has made football much more accessible to women and girls of all ages. The sessions at the Arsenal Hub are brilliant for providing this. We both really enjoy practicing our skills, and having the coaches pause matches to give us feedback is very helpful.

These sessions are a real passion project for our Women and Girls Coordinator, Billie Graham, and seeing the players build a strong, supportive female community has been incredibly rewarding.

“We wanted to create a space for women who love the game and love Arsenal, but who perhaps didn’t have the opportunity to play growing up, like many young girls are starting to have now. It was essential that the environment is warm, welcoming and supportive so that women feel confident from the start, and even into adulthood.

“Seeing our first mother and daughter attend together is heartwarming – it tells me we are doing something right. Joy and Zenani are improving each week, and it’s clear they get more from these sessions than just soccer skills: they enjoy spending time together doing something they both love.

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