Girls United
Melissa Camacho, Mexico
Melissa Camacho, 16, is a player with Girls United Mexico, a football club for girls and young women based in Bacalar, Mexico. The club was created by Girls United FA, a non-profit organisation in Mexico and the UK, who provide young girls the opportunity to play football in a safe place, whilst using the sport to promote confidence and leadership skills in the players.
Can you introduce yourself and tell us about your football life?
My name is Melissa Camacho and I am 16 years old. I am part of the United Girls Club and I have been training for 2 years, although football has always been part of my life.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
I wanted to show the passion for football, women's football, and that not only do the boys have a lot to offer but us as well.
In the photos are the girls from the youngest age category of our club, which I am very proud to belong to. They were taken on our pitch, a space where girls feel free to do what they like. I tried to show the love of football without barriers, only the love of football, passion, and fighting for dreams. The photos of these little ones are my favourite - there is no age limit to play football, you just have to try. I wanted to show the passion for football and women's football.
Who is in the photos and where are they taken?
Some photos are taken at training sessions at the main ground in Bacalar – the town sports facility called Unidad Deportiva Serapio Flota Mass. Others are from our community clubs in a more rural town called Miguel Hidalgo. We have started to play in a league and actually won the league in the women’s division. There is also a Family Day, where parents and siblings are invited to hear about how the girls are progressing. Every month it ends with a big Players vs Parents and Coaches match.
There were also some photos taken during break time when the boys were just playing during their break.
Are there any good stories connected with the people or teams you photographed?
There are many because the club has offered us so much, it has helped us grow as people - not only in football, it also drives us in life, as people.
What are the opportunities for female footballers in Mexico?
Soccer in Mexico offers so many opportunities for boys, it is a wide sector for them. However, with girls, it is not the same. The women's league is gaining momentum recently, although it has certainly been a long road.
What role does football play in Mexican society?
Football in Mexican society is really important, at least for most of us, there is a lot of passion for football. It is part of the culture, the cheers, the support for your club, your team, following the game and being there. Football really unites people, when there is love for the game. It is part of our lifestyle.
What does football mean to you?
Football for me is something really difficult to define. Football is a relief to my daily life, to my problems. Football is to play for love, with passion. Stepping on the field conveys great sensations, due to companionship, and being with others and people who also love football.
What is the future for Mexican women's football?
Women's football has grown day by day. We can see more academies, more role models. We have great references such as Charlyn Corral (a player for Mexico and Atlético Madrid) and people who fight for their dreams so that women's football is recognized. It is important to fight against machismo and obstacles. Many doors have been opened, so I think that women's football is growing, and will continue to do so. It is football, regardless of gender, and there is talent.
