One Common Game

Ruth Boyle, Belfast, Northern Ireland

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. 

Ruth Boyle is a coach for the “Rosario Social Women’s Group”, a group of women in southern Belfast who organise a weekly football session. Born out of Rosario Football Club, the cross-community football club with a long history, the Social Women’s Group provides an opportunity for those who do not play competitive football to still engage in the game, regardless of age or ability. In one of the most diverse areas of Belfast, the team prioritises a welcome-all attitude.

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

Can you introduce yourself and tell us how your football life began?

My name is Ruth Boyle and I am from Derry in Northern Ireland. I have played football all my life. I also started coaching in 2018, which has been a real privilege to help grow girls and ladies’ football here. I coach with Rosario Football club and I sometimes still get to play a little senior football, but I enjoy non-competitive social football more.

I can remember playing with a football against the end of the house when I was 6 or 7. I would play with the boys in my street, they never played differently with me. We would arrange to play against other streets and I was always one of the first picked. I often got told by passers-by that I was good and I became known in my area as the girl who plays football with all the boys.

What has your football journey been up until now?

Football has been a lifeline for me, for as long as I can remember. I am dyslexic and struggled a lot in school, which led to me getting frustrated a lot, but I was allowed to kick a ball around to help me.

Some of the barriers have been more in my later years of playing and coaching, though I do remember being not allowed to play for a club because it was boys-only when I was 11. I cried when I was told I was not allowed to play. I could not understand, as I played on the street with boys and I was the only girl in the boys’ school team, but I was not allowed to play at a football club with the same boys.

As a coach I came across some barriers more to do with having mild learning difficulties, but I am up front and honest with the teams I coach. I believe that is the key to coaching, showing your weaknesses to your players and being comfortable in who you are.  It allows your team to not be scared to make mistakes when they try new things and it keeps it real, showing that it is a learning process for a coach and player.

I hold in high regard a few former Northern Ireland players including Claire Rea, Clare Carson, and Gail Redmond. They have crossed over from playing to coaching and are trailblazers in their own right. I used to think it was hard to be a female footballer when it is seen as a men’s sport here, but I have come to realise it is even harder to be a female coach.

As a coach one of my highlights was passing my UEFA C Diploma and as a player receiving my international cap for playing in the Homeless World Cup in Mexico.

Being part of that team that represented Northern Ireland in Mexico City was amazing. The atmosphere was phenomenal and we played against some fantastic teams like Brazil, Egypt, and Mexico.The teams shared the same passions and had similar social problems. We were all there to represent the marginalised of our own countries, but with a ball at our feet and a passion to win.

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

I showed my two social teams: Rosario Football Club and Street Soccer NI. I play 2-3 nights a week with Rosario and two times a week with Street Soccer.

Rosario includes local women from the area and some mothers of the players from the club. It is a good way to blow off steam and chat with friends while getting fit and healthy. They can also get very competitive, especially when playing other social teams - which is also fun to watch and be part of. Social teams are somewhat new here and it is hard to get players, but we welcome everyone,

With Street Soccer NI, the players are women from all walks of life. We currently have players who are refugees seeking asylum here from war torn countries. Others have left their countries due to living under a regime which forbids them from being in same-sex relationships. Most of the girls have been homeless at some point in their lives. The project works with both men and women who have complex needs whether it be mental health, addiction, or being former prisoners. For me there is more to football than an end result after 90 mins. It helps build resilience, character, self-esteem and creates accountability to teammates - that is why football can transform lives.

I tried to show how diverse football is. Two social teams with very different backgrounds, but one common game.

What impact has Rosario Social Women's Group had on you? Why is it so important to have an inclusive space to play? 

Rosario has helped me to still be included in the game. I have stepped away from playing competitive senior level football and started enjoying football at a social, fun level. It also helps me build confidence in my coaching ability.

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

I believe the more that male players stand up and speak out about sexist abuse, the more it will filter through to coaches, backroom staff, and fans on the sidelines.

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

I believe we have a great future ahead of us in the women’s game. We do need more media coverage. If she can’t see it, how can she be it? Girls need to see girls play. I grew up watching men play. Any time I imagined I was playing in a team it was the men’s teams. Now we have women’s football on TV and girls have that opportunity to watch and dream. 

Sexism sneaks into every part of life and women’s football is no different. In my two social teams, women always push the boundaries. 

I do not see many men playing football or coaching and then going home to cook dinner, make sure the kids do their school homework, and get them ready for bed. 

I have watched mothers bring their kids to training because they could not get a babysitter. I have also seen women come off the pitch at half-time, breastfeed, and jump back on the pitch. It makes me very proud to see these strong, determined women play.

Series edited by Emma Walley.