A Club That Changed My Life

Becky Parker, Glasgow, Scotland

Goal Click have teamed up with EE to tell the stories of UK grassroots teams born out of adversity - that have overcome hate with hope, with the aim of making the beautiful game more inclusive for all. Because there is a place in football for everyone. 

Becky Parker plays for Camp Hellcats FC, a team founded in the Southside of Glasgow in 2021 after a group of women and non-binary people started playing a weekly 5-a-side game during the second pandemic lockdown. They quickly developed into a 50-member-strong squad - winning the Glasgow Women's 7s beginners’ tournament twice! The team is driven by the passion to make football accessible for all, regardless of age, ability, race, sexual orientation, and gender. 

Inspired? To find your place in football, in Scotland, head here.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your current football life?

My name is Becky Parker, I am 30 years old, from Edinburgh originally, now living in Glasgow. I am the audience editor for Reach PLC regional websites including Glasgow Live and I am a centre forward for Camp Hellcats FC, a women's and non binary grassroots football team based in the Southside of Glasgow. 

I heard about Camp Hellcats through a friend during the second lockdown in Scotland in early 2021. I wanted to get back into playing after a long hiatus from the game and went along to a 5-a-side session without knowing a single person, which was daunting at first but I have never felt so welcome and included before by a group of people.

What has your football journey been up until now? 

Ever since I can remember football has been a focal point of mine and part of my family life. My grandad had me in a Rangers kit by the time I was 3 years old and I can always remember football being on the TV every weekend without fail. I grew up around the game which I think is why it is so ingrained in me now. As a family we would go to watch my older brother play for local boys’ clubs in Edinburgh on a freezing cold Saturday morning, which I loved and I wanted to play myself when I was in primary school. 

When it was break time I would play football with the boys whilst all the girls played games and made up dances. I ended up getting into the school team (all boys) and started playing in the games when I was 10 years old. My dad was my biggest supporter, always encouraging me and cheering me on from the sidelines alongside the rest of the dads. I think he was proud that I was the only girl in the team. The other dads would say to him, "Is that your wee lassie? Good on her." 

Then the other kids started to disperse into other local boys clubs and there obviously was not an option for me to go and join them. I do not even think a girls’ football team existed at that point. There was also the issue of being teased for being a girl who liked football back then, which seems crazy to think seeing how popular women’s football is now. To avoid being bullied or isolated from my friendship group, I took up other sports such as hockey and netball.

I think back to who I was then as a carefree wee girl in her Rangers strip playing for the primary school and wish I had the same determination and courage during my secondary school years. Who knows where I would be now if there were more opportunities for girls?

When I started playing with the Hellcats it had been nearly 20 years since I had last kicked a ball. In between that time, I was - and still am - deeply passionate about football. My dad is a Rangers season ticket holder and I go to most home games with him. He travels from Edinburgh to go to the games at Ibrox so it is always a special day out for us. 

Personally, one of the biggest highlights recently was the Hellcats' first tournament win earlier this year. To go from a team that was not fully formed before the start of this year to winning 7-a-side competitions was a huge achievement for us and shows how far we have come as individuals and as a team.

What did you try to capture with your photos? Was there a wider meaning with the photos? 

The photos were taken at Goals in Shawlands (where we play weekly 5-a-side games) and Cathkin Park. I tried to capture the personality of our team and the bond we have as a group as well the community we have built. It shows how much interest there is in grassroots women's and non-binary football. It is not just about the game, it is also about forming a solid community foundation and you can see how important it is to people. 

We got branded t-shirts made for the friendly tournament and it was a proud moment to see us all walk onto the pitch representing the team in such a bold way.

There are also some players from the Hellcats, Cathkin Blazes, and Glasgow Saints (two other local Glasgow teams). This picture was taken after a friendly tournament I had organised. For me, it represents everything I hope to see for the future of football in our community and beyond. To see such a big group of people from all walks of life, all there for a shared love of the beautiful game, is pretty incredible. 

On the pitch, of course we always want to win but between the teams off the pitch there is a collective feeling of hope, support and determination to showcase our game.

What are the opportunities for women's and non-binary players to participate in your community?

We proudly and emphatically represent ourselves as a community that is open to all. This team was started by women and non-binary people and we will continue as we mean to go on. It is an extremely important ethos for us and is a huge part of our culture. I think we are spurred on by the fact so many of us had so little opportunities when we were young, that we strive to ensure our club is a safe, open and inclusive community where people can be their authentic selves.

What role does football play in your life and in your community?

Football is a way of life for some people in Glasgow. Being a fan on one side of the Old Firm and then moving to Glasgow opened my eyes up to how deep rooted the game is in this city. It means everything and is a big part of people's lives, and that is from the very top of the Scottish Premiership to the grassroots clubs across the country.

What impact has Camp Hellcats had on you? Why is it so important to have an inclusive space to play?

Before Hellcats, I could never imagine going to something where I did not know a soul. Like a lot of people during the pandemic, my mental health was not great and I was struggling to find something to do that I cared about. I just wanted to move my body and push myself out of my comfort zone. 

That day I went along to a game of 5s, I was nervous and self conscious, unsure whether or not I would be liked or accepted. Quite the opposite happened. I can safely say I have made friends for life within the team. I think it is so important for people to feel comfortable in an environment in order to thrive. I feel more confident not just in my game personally but in day-to-day life and that is down to the positive impact Camp Hellcats FC has had on me. It might sound cliche but being a player for the Hellcats has changed my life.

What ambitions do you have for the future?

I would like to incorporate football into my career at some stage and spread the message on my platform that women and non binary people can be a part of a community like ours despite the barriers we face, no matter what your age, gender, sexuality, religion, race or class. 

In a dream world, I would get my coaching badges and help to develop, mentor and empower young people coming up in the footballing world. I want to be able to tell young people, like myself when I was in school, hesitant to play due to the fear of the toxic attitude towards girls playing football, that it is okay to be yourself and explore your passion. If I can help one person realise their talent and follow their ambition, then I will have achieved something.

What do you think the future looks like for football in your community? Why might the future be hopeful? What would you like to change? 

If I take a step back and look at how far Hellcats has come in just over a year, I feel hopeful for the future. It started out as a casual kickabout, none of us knowing the rules, some of us having not even kicked a ball before. Now we have a group chat with more than 50 people and we are able to set up two games per week plus coaching. We have also secured sponsorship from two local businesses which has helped us to get a full kit. To get funding is a dream come true and we hope to make our sessions more financially accessible for people. 

How important is it for male allies to fight sexist abuse?

I think the UK and Scotland in particular has a fair bit of catching up to do in terms of attitudes towards women's football. Just one glance at social media and you will see some form of misogyny aimed at women. Although it is a loud minority, one negative comment can deter people from playing, something I personally had to deal with growing up. However, there has been a shift in attitudes and I do think the 2022 Euros played a big part in that. 

It is up to men to educate themselves and understand how privileged they are, but having the women's game on such a big platform now is a step in the right direction. Football is for everyone and we should be encouraging people to get involved in the game no matter their background or gender. 

Series edited by Emma Walley.