Hampton & Richmond Youth FC’s women’s casual team, the Lost Gen Diamonds played their first ever tournament at Rectory Park at a celebration event organised by Middlesex FA.

The Diamonds started as part of a MFA pilot scheme to encourage the ‘lost generation’ of women who had no opportunity to play growing up, or who have played in the past, but found it difficult to keep up with the demands of family and work. The group, initially a small number of mums of Hampton & Richmond Youth players, now includes their friends and women from the local area and numbers around 35 . They have been training weekly since November 2023 in fun, relaxed sessions, which have built their confidence and skills. It was time to see how they fared in a match.

The Diamonds’ two 7 a side teams, Reds and Blues played Pitshanger FC, Deer Park, Twickenham Swans and Chiswick Swans. Matches were played in competitive but good natured spirit. Our fantastic Reds came away with the the most Spirited Team award, voted by referees.

The Lost Gen pilot is seed-funded by Middlesex FA with the aim of increasing women’s engagement in football. HRYFC decided to get involved as part of its work to extend the range of football available to women and girls into adulthood. The youth section has grown to over 100 girls in teams from U9 up to U18 over the last few years, but there is little by way of casual recreational football for women. The youth FC also hopes that the more women get to know and enjoy their football, the more likely become volunteer coaches, team managers, referees and other female role models for girls and boys at the club. Women participating from the HRYFC community have already reported benefits in health, fitness and mental wellbeing. Many just come for friendship and fun and a bit of time to do something for themselves away from home and work.

The Lost Gen Celebration day was the first competitive experience for many of our footballing ladies and despite the heat, tired feet and sore legs, they came off the pitch buzzing.

The day also included workshops on Womens’ Health in sport, and ‘Stepping over the sidelines’ into coaching, giving the women so much food for thought after an exhausting but exhilarating day of football.

If you are free on Wednesday evenings and are interested in joining our football sessions for women please contact us: mumsfootball.hrbyfc@gmail.com

Claire Wadham Williams
HRYFC Girls Football Development