Finding My Football Family

Chanel, England

KO Club Trust UK is dedicated to empower communities through providing access to sport and education. They focus on addressing pressing social issues and contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities. Chanel is part of the KO Club Trust community, and plays for the CB Hounslow women’s team.

Can you introduce yourself and tell us about how you first got involved in sport?

My name is Chanel, I am 21 years old and have been playing football for 15 years. I first started playing football in the streets with my brothers and their friends. Finally, when I was nine (in year 5) I managed to get enough girls together to start a girls’ football team. We entered a girls' indoor tournament and this is where I was approached by the chairman of the club I would play at for the next 10 years. 

When we reached U16 the numbers started to get low so we merged two age groups. When we reached U18 most of the team had to move to play Women’s football, but some were too young. This caused our team to fold. I was ready to stop playing football as there just was not much exposure to women’s football in the area. 

At this point, the plan was to do my coaching qualifications and go back to my team as a coach. This was until a girl I had played with told me about trials that were taking place for CB Hounslow. Anxiously, I eventually agreed to go to a session. I was not expecting to fall in love with football all over again through this club. Immediately, I clicked with the girls. There were so many different characters, and so many different styles of play. The new environment was exciting. It was the first season for CB Hounslow women’s team. Two seasons on and the women’s side is thriving!!

What has your football journey been like up until now? 

I had a lot of struggles being accepted in the game, I always had a lot to prove. Every time I had a football at my feet I knew all eyes were on me and at the smallest mistake I would be criticised. I grew up on an estate where everyone knows everyone. I come from a low-income background. This meant being outside with a football was our lives. We didn’t have the newest kits or the expensive football boots - most of the time even the football was flat. But we didn’t care. 

I actually saw all of this as a positive. When I joined the boys’ team at school I was more than ready to get stuck in, it was normal for me. The boys would not pass to me because I was a girl and “couldn’t play football”. The teacher changed the rules - if a girl (only me) scored we got double points. 

Eventually, I got respect and captained the mixed team. I convinced most of the girls in my year to play so we could make a team. At my Sunday League club, the talent pool was so small. It was incredibly difficult to maintain a team throughout a season and get new blood for the new season. There was not enough exposure for the women’s game!

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

The photos were taken at CB Hounslow football training. We are currently in pre-season. This means A LOT of fitness. These girls are family. I have played football with a lot of them for 10 years! We have been through the tough journey together and are still playing, loving the game. It is so great to experience this team constantly progressing. It is different from anything I have experienced before. 

During this pre-season, I also started training with another local women’s team. Some of these photos are from a tournament with these girls, where we placed second. In other photos, you can see I am by myself! I really enjoy playing football alone and just letting the stressful week go. No one else but you and the ball.

I wanted to capture the happiness that football brings. Especially as we get older, more responsibilities become apparent and yet still we can all come and let it all out on the pitch. The team is so inclusive, the age range is from 16 to 52! 

It is important to recognise that no matter what you are going through, you will always have a family if you have a football team.

What does football mean to you and your community? 

Without football, I would not be in a good place. It is crazy to say, but an hour a week can change your perspective and mindset. Growing up on an estate meant I was surrounded by a lot of people who would encourage bad paths, which would be glorified. Idols would be people who would accept prison time and come out looking fresh. Who had the newest tracksuits, trainers, cars, fresh haircuts…and no job. Football acted as an escape, it took me closer to normality. A place to relax, be happy and do something I love.

Football plays a massive role in my community. In this area, there is a lot of crime and poverty. Football is one of the only secure things in many people's lives. It gets you off of the street, it diverts negative energy and aggression you may be feeling onto the pitch. 

What are the opportunities for women and girls to play football in your community?

There are a lot more opportunities now and football has more exposure, especially socially. I still would not say we have options, and if we do they are a distance away from each other. Many teams are niche, maybe you are not in the age group, or outside of the standard. We need to find a way to encourage the game and make it look attractive enough for girls to WANT to play and COMMIT.

What impact has the KO Club Trust programme had on you and your community?

The KO Club Trust UK has pushed the progression of the women’s team further than anyone. The founder is always encouraging us and is often trying to gain funding and sponsorships, and we all love to have someone to rant to. This Trust is so flexible and can offer help to anyone that wants it. It is run by people who truly care and gives you a comfortable environment to be in. Everyone involved wants to push progress, not just in the women’s game but through the whole Club and community.

The difference they have made so far is outstanding, even with the struggles they constantly face from local authorities and other organisations. They do not give up. If you have met the founder then you will know he has many difficulties but has stayed true to his word. He has arranged a fantastic team and the Trust has the full support of the community and beyond.

What ambitions do you have for the future?

I would love to become a UEFA qualified coach - and get more into coaching and start making a difference in young persons' lives. I want to be able to offer an ear for anyone who needs it, to give advice or even just help them play football. 

What do you think the future looks like for sports in your community and country? What do you want to change? How would you improve gender equality?

Sport in our community is looking positive. It is becoming more and more accessible, the progress over the years has been incredible. I almost wish I was just starting to play football again as a 5-year-old to get to experience all of this! It was only ever a dream. 

England winning the Euros accelerated women’s football leaps and bounds. The WSL is now more and more recognised to the point the men will even speak to me about it in the office!

I still think we have so much more to give. The women’s game has not finished taking over. I think with more funding, there will be more support from fans and exposure - and we will be flying. 

How to improve gender equality is a big question. For me, it is the stereotypes of you being a women’s footballer. The labels that come from women’s football drive many women away from the game and out of it. I think only time and action can improve this. To show them that actually we are just as good as you, and eventually stereotypes like women’s footballers all being lesbians will just fizzle out.