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29 October 2014

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You are in: Suffolk > Sport > Grassroots Sports > "Anyone can play football!"

Brandon Lasses Under 12's & 13's

"Anyone can play football!"

By Kieran Turner

Girls football is becoming more popular across the county, with over 1000 players competing every weekend. Brandon Lasses is a team on the very edge of Suffolk, and now have over 70 players competing across all the different age groups.

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Brandon is a village out on the border of Suffolk, far closer to Norfolk and Cambridge than to some parts of Suffolk. But the Brandon Lasses are in the Suffolk Girls and Women's League, meaning long treks across the county to play in Lowestoft or Woodbridge.

However, this has not deterred players, and the club now boasts over 70 players across four age groups - Under 10's, 12's, 13's and 15's. Huge strides considering the girls teams were only set up 4 years ago, with the smallest possible squad - just 11 players.

Brandon Lasses Under 15's in action

The coaches are keen to get girls involved from as young an age as possible, in order to change the idea that girls' football is a minority or unusual sport. The club now runs a Saturday morning Soccer Club, where girls can come along for that most traditional of games - the kickabout! And all away from the interference of boys!

"I haven't really played with my mates, because none of them are really interested in football."

Frankie Bonnett

This is a massive contrast to how the captain of the Under 15s got started in football - Chloe Rumsey used to be a ballet dancer at primary school, before playing football first with boys, then spotting a poster for the Lasses in a shop window.

The team is especially important in such a rural area, as it lets the girls meet with friends from outside their school or village, and it is becoming the same social occasion that men's football has been for a long time.

But some stigma remains - Chloe Rumsey, of the Under 15's, says that women's football still has an image problem. "People at my school think if you play football, you're tough. But anyone can play football!".

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last updated: 23/04/2008 at 12:49
created: 10/01/2007

Have Your Say

What do you think about girls playing football? Let us know!

The BBC reserves the right to edit comments submitted.

Chris
I thinks Its ok Just they shouldnt be mixed with boysBut having thier own legues and ages is ok

Adiah Burroughs
lol i thought you were talking about real footbal but the correct way to say it is socer

carmen
I think that girls should be able to play football. I think they can even play football with boys. I am doing an opinion paper about how girls should be able to play on a sport team that is mainly for boys. I think that girls can do anything guys can if they try hard enough.

simeone
it has been good for girls play football becouse there love it

Lauren martin (GCSE student)
Im a 14 year old girl, football is a key sport i really enjoy im even doing a project for my statistic coursework on football if you could give me some feed back on how many girls like football i would apprecaite it thank you.

Kevin Briston (chairman Brandon lads & Lasses AFC)
We have been promoting & developing girls football at our club for over 4 years now and have watched in go from strength to strength. As a FA Charter development club, we encourage the particpation in this sport, through our safe & friendly environment. If you wish to have a go, just get in touch, it's well worth a try.

Teresa Goldson
Women's and girl's football is great. In Halesworth we have a growing girls Under 15s team. They have to work hard to gain respect of the tradtionalists, but they have done it. They even have their own kit this season and no longer have the boy's team hand-me-downs!!

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