GIRLS
Words: Tayyiba Yunus @taybs11
Images: Gem Atkinson @dropsofdiamond
INCLUSIVE & INSPIRATIONAL WITH FOTMOB:
FC LEYTONSTONE In each issue, FotMob - the livescore app - are sponsoring a feature on inclusive and inspirational grassroots stories and assisting in their development by providing equipment vouchers to these special football clubs.
It’s a freezing cold Sunday morning
ences which have shaped her path in
bours all involved with the club. She
in mid-December, the kind of morn-
football. “With my generation, girls didn’t
explains how Imaani has grown from
ing players might just be tempted to
have a lot of opportunities to play. I used
an introverted and quiet player to “so
choose a lie-in over football training.
to travel over an hour to train at a club
much more confident on and off the
Not at Wanstead Flats, though. The
and that was difficult. I also didn’t have
pitch. Football has really helped the girls
iconic football venue in East London
anyone I could look up to that looked
build an identity for themselves and us
is home to FC Leytonstone, a local
like me. South Asian girls in football
parents absolutely love watching them
club with a rich history that has been
were an exception, rather than the norm.
train, form friendships, score brilliant
running for close to twenty years.
When I got injured, my focus shifted to
goals … we’re loving being with them on
FC Leytonstone provides local youth
how I could help girls have a different
every part of this journey.”
and adults in Waltham Forest a
experience to what I had, and this role at
space to play football, and they have
FC Leytonstone coincidentally came up
Imaani to get involved with football her-
most recently launched their first
at the perfect time.”
self, beyond supporting on the sidelines.
ever girls’ team.
Thirty-five girls turned up for the first
Tasnim was inspired by ten-year-old
She has started playing football on Friday
We trek through Wanstead Flats in
session in July 2020. Most of the players
evenings and also has joined the 100FC
the fog in search of the squad and find
had never played football before joining
coaching pathway programme at the
Sabah, the Head Coach, leading a series
the club, but since then the Lemons
club, which addresses the shortage of
of drills for her Under 12s and Under 13s.
have played multiple tournaments and
female coaches in London.
“The girls’ football team was formed last summer,” Sabah explains. “Munaf, the Club Chairman, was looking for a
started playing league football every Saturday at Hackney Marshes.
Sabah echoes Tasnim’s comments about the team spirit: “We are definite-
Imaani is one of FC Leytonstone’s
ly a family and a lot of work goes into
female coach to lead and deliver the
Under 13s ballers and has been part
making everyone feel part of that. We
coaching sessions. I was put in contact
of the team since it started. I meet her
have regular socials, fundraisers and our
with him through a mutual friend and it
Mum Tasnim on the sideline. Like most
sponsors are all local. I’ve even moved
pretty much all started there.”
of the other Leystonstone parents,
house from over an hour away to be
Tasnim has family, friends and neigh-
closer to the club!”
Sabah talks about her own experi-
