Football at Fifty (One)?

by
Aisling Grimley.

If you told me I'd play football at 51 I'd say you were off your rocker. I've never been a team sports kind of gal, never kicked a ball so that sounds impossible. If you're surprised to hear I played football last night, so am I.

Women's football, here we come...

Football at fifty - you're kidding!

I’m on a high today – grinning inside and out. Holy moly I kicked my first ever football last night. When Leigh Hamilton asked would I like to join some of the girls’ soccer mums (mothers of my 9 year-old soccer playing daughter, Louisa) for a kick around on Tuesday night I was highly amused. Me – kick a football? I’m not sure I could, would or should. I agreed to go along to make the rest of them look good. Soccer, ball sports, team sports have never been my world. I was flattered to be included and thought I’d support a great idea but from the sidelines.

Am I really going to do this?

As 9pm on Tuesday grew closer I thought of every reason not to go. My sore elbow, that book that needs to be finished by Wednesday, I’m tired, it’s late, I’m embarrassed, I won’t be able to do it, is there any point? they’ll all know what they’re doing etc etc….. You may recognise the style of my inner dialogue.

Happily I’d been offered a lift by Hilkka, one of the other soccer mums, so that was enough commitment to get me out the door at 8.50.

On arrival at Inchicore community centre we met a very friendly and slightly tentative group of 14 women who were assembling. Some familiar faces, some new. We were all a little nervous and uncertain as we waited for a group of serious looking sports women to finish their game in the hall before us.

Into the hall with us

The session was led by Leigh and Lia Byrne who coach some of the small girls (including their daughters who are about 6yrs old) on Saturdays. They have recently done a coaching course so they had a simple structure for us. This settled the nerves, introduced us to some basic concepts and got us moving.

We started with some stretches and then did a few relays across the hall. As one of my new football friends put it - “Run! In front of other people?!” Yes we all did it and egged each other on. There was an immediate feeling of support, warmth and team spirit amongst us. Not many had ever kicked a ball before. Maybe that’s one of the reasons why we love our daughters to have the opportunity to have fun and play with Inchicore Girls FC. Being able to kick a football skillfully is a great bridge when the girls are in the park with the boys.

Next up was some gentle dribbling of the ball – using the side of our feet, not toes. We added a shimmy left/right and some speed by degrees. Yes, we had the ball at our feet and were moving across the hall. After a water break we played 'catch the fox' - apparently a big favourite with the 4 year olds. You could see some speedy and fit women emerging from the group. We then divided into pairs and learned to stop and pass the ball between cones. Spirits were high and balls were flying.

A match!

We played a 7 aside match for the last 20 minutes. Without realizing it we were flying around after the ball. Scoring goals, apologising for hitting each other in the arm or leg. Celebrating our goals with cheers and high fives!!

We left the hall 1 hour later transformed. Hearts racing, red faces, grinning from ear to ear, chomping on watermelon thoughtfully provided by Lia. Who would have thought it – football at 51 for me? Most of the women were younger – mainly in their 30s and 40s – but for most of us it was a new experience and a totally exhilarating evening. Many thanks to Leigh and Lia for organizing Tuesday football - I’ll be back next week, feeling a bit stiff today mind you!

If you'd like to join us on Tuesdays contact Leigh Hamilton on 086 6875568.

If you'd like your daughter to join Inchicore Girls' FC visit our website or ask Leigh for more information.