Walking Into A Family
Rosa, England
Goal Click and the Premier League Charitable Fund (PLCF) collaborated on a campaign to showcase the powerful impact of the Premier League and Professional Footballers’ Association (PL PFA) Community Fund.
Six individuals from Aston Villa Foundation, Palace for Life Foundation and Wolves Foundation have documented the activities made possible by the PL PFA Community Fund and the impact the programme has made on their personal lives. Rosa participates in the Palace Connectors walking football programme, which incorporates adaptations for individuals with hearing impairments.
My name is Rosa, I am 47 and a mum of two. I live in south-east London and have an Italian background. I have been going to the women’s Crystal Palace Walking Football sessions since September 2022 and I absolutely love it. I play most Thursday evenings and enjoy playing with the other women who are inspirational. I have a hearing impairment and my coach Mary helps me by explaining at the beginning of the session what drills we will be doing by using a white board, so it is more visual. This helps me a great deal.
How did you get involved with Palace Connectors and Crystal Palace?
I have always enjoyed football since I was very young, but when I was growing up football was not for girls. I used to play with the boys in the playground, but that is as far as it went. I started looking for Walking Football for my husband as he has mobility difficulties. While searching for a sport for him I discovered women’s Walking Football with Crystal Palace. I joined one session with a friend and loved it.
At one point I stopped for a little while, but received an email from the club to ask me if I wanted to start again and the training would be at Crystal Palace Academy. I jumped at the chance. I love walking into the dome - it feels so good to play in there, as it is a club in the English Premier League.
What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?
The photos were taken at Crystal Palace Academy in the dome whilst taking part in Walking Football - and are a mixture of the women who I play with. Most of them are older than me but their fitness levels are amazing. I would love to be like that when I get to older and have the energy and level of fitness they have. They are so reassuring even when I am in a panic situation and kick the ball to the wrong team. They always guide me to stay calm, look up, and stand my ground. Many of the women that I play with make me feel inspired.
The biggest thing for me is that I am finally playing the game I love, with a bunch of lovely women who enjoy the game too. What is so lovely is the banter and friendships made. We all share the same love for the beautiful game.
I also took photos of the Eagle in the sunlight. Just being in the dome and knowing that you are part of a team in the Premier League means so much.
Why is football important to you and to your community?
I have always enjoyed football, watching the World Cup growing up and now married into a family who are football crazy. Football is teamwork, exercise, enjoyment, fun and you get a great sense of happiness when you score a goal or win a match.
I enjoy being part of the Walking Football community – and getting to know them all better and they are getting to know me too. The women make you feel so welcome. Some of them have been playing for a good while and some play for England – so it is an honour to be playing beside them.
How does taking part in Palace Connectors make you feel? What do you like most?
I have a hearing impairment and am one of the quiet ones on the field, but the women make me feel part of the team. I am becoming more confident on the ball and building my fitness levels and stamina. I love playing – I love that each week I get a little bit better, trying not to panic on the ball and looking around for a player on my team, improving my performance. I also enjoy playing in goal too, especially when I make a couple of good saves.
How has participating in the project created a sense of belonging for you?
I have now realised how much I feel like a part of the Walking Football community. Being a member of the team WhatsApp group provides a real sense of community. One of the players is organising a sweepstake for the upcoming Women’s World Cup and it would be great to watch the England games with them. I will not expect the ladies to watch the Azzurre (Italian women’s team), but I might try and convince them!
What impact has Crystal Palace had on you?
I am from north London, so Spurs and Arsenal were the teams that my friends would support. But since I moved down to south London, I am a Crystal Palace fan 100% and my daughter and I started going to the Crystal Palace Women games at Hayes Lane (Bromley FC stadium). It is so lovely to go together and watch the women's matches. There is more of a family feel to them and the Crystal Palace team are a great side in the Women’s Championship. Hopefully they get promoted into the Women’s Super league – I think there are players in the squad who should be playing for England.
How has Walking Football helped with your confidence? How important is the inclusive environment?
To be honest it did take me a little while to go to the training for the first time. Luckily one of my friends came with me and that helped me to go. I now feel part of the community and not so shy going to training. The women are all friendly and they understand that if I miss something in the conversation they need to repeat it.
My coach Mary has been brilliant in her coaching methods. Having hearing impairment makes life more difficult, but she uses a white board when we do drills, so I can visually see what she is explaining to us all. She also comes up to me just to make sure I understood what we are doing.
Everyone is very understanding and there is a real sense of Inclusivity. I really recommend that anyone who has any type of disability, not to let that beat them. Football can be so inclusive and anyone can play. So if you have a disability and want to play football, my advice is…do it!
How has this project helped you overcome your challenges and fulfil your ambitions? What ambitions do you now have for the future?
For me, playing Thursday evenings at Crystal Palace Academy is a dream, considering I never thought it would happen. Growing up I was told “football is for boys”. I did go to one training session with Enfield Town Ladies in my teens, but did not have the support from my family. That was the first and last time I went. Now it is amazing to see all these girls’ teams being set up and girls’ football is taking off. I just want to keep playing and continue to improve my fitness levels. I might play recreational football in the future.
What do you think the future of football looks like in London and in England? What do you want to change?
The women's game in England has gained more fans and is picking up speed. It is fantastic that there is now a better platform for women and girls to play football. The Lionesses have changed the way of thinking here in England. You hear about more girls’ football teams being set up and opportunities. I love going to the women's matches with my daughter and she loves chatting about the games and players.
The fact that the Women's Super League is shown on BBC and Sky Sports is fantastic. With the Women’s World Cup coming soon, we can watch the world’s best women’s football teams. And they are getting the recognition they deserve.
Go Lionesses! Forza Azzure!
