Girl power: Arsenal's underage girls' teams are playing against boys
Arsenal ladies' underage soccer teams are now playing competitive games against boys’ teams at under-10 and under-12 level.
They have taken the step because their girls’ teams struggled to find other female teams at the same level to play.
According to The Guardian
This is part of a new initiative introduced by the Football Association this season which allows girls' teams to play in boys’ grassroots leagues.
Tessa Payne, technical director for Arsenal’s Regional Talent Club believes the girls can improve their game by playing boys’ teams.
“The FA made a brave decision to be able to put a whole girls’ team into a boys’ league, which is quite different from just having one or two girls within your team,” she explains.
“We recognise that playing against boys – maybe not even at the exact same age group but by matching ability levels – was a really good test, for the most exceptionally talented girls."
“If we are really going to try to push women’s football and compete on the international stage, we need to support the younger players to give them the best opportunities.”
Mixed gender matches are now allowed up to the age of 18.
Payne admits that some parents were quite skeptical at first about the mixed gender matches but most have since embraced it.
“Parents and coaches look like they are not quite sure how to respond”, she explained.
“We had a coach who said: ‘I am a dad. I have daughters. I am a bit worried about these boys going in and tackling the girls. I wouldn’t want a boy to go in with a heavy tackle on a girl.’ ”
“I said: ‘Don’t worry about it. They are footballers. Just look at it like that.’ ”
“At the end of the game the coach said we had a fantastic group of great players with a great attitude that want to learn.”
During a recent underage game, the under-10 girls of Arsenal took on AC Finchley boys in the Watford Friendly League.
The teams were well matched in terms of skill but on this occasion the boys came out on top.
The Guardian
Rimini Lowe used to play in a boys’ team and is accustomed to playing them.
“I prefer to play against boys,” she says. “I think we can play against the boys all the way."
Her team-mate Laila Harbert says playing against a stronger boys’ team is better than playing a weaker female team.
“It is not helping you to improve if you win 20-0.”
“It is better to lose 1-0 against the boys because we learn loads and that is what helps you to become a better player."
"I’d like to go as far as the Arsenal Ladies first team and play for England.”
Olivia Bartlett sums up the general consensus of the team when she says that playing against boys “feels normal”.
What do you think mums?
