Many women over 30 would never have a chance to play football growing up, through a combination of social stigma and lack of opportunity.  

But a group of Bromley women are challenging that through their recreational football team, Bromley Belles FC. 

Started in March last year by Andrea Ellis, the team have sessions every Wednesday evening with 30 members on their books. Andrea, a 44-year-old teacher, has just won the National League Volunteer of the Month for her efforts with the Belles. 

“I used to play football when I was younger, but I was never allowed to play when I was at school, and then I went to an all-girls school and I was never allowed to play then. I played a bit when I was at uni, then I hadn’t really played since I was in my early 20s,” Andrea said, describing how the idea for the team came about.  

“It was just a conversation with someone where I said I wanted to play football but couldn’t find any teams, and they said ‘well why don’t you set one up?’. 

“I posted some stuff on Facebook and got quite a good response, and went to my local club- Bromley FC. They said they’d really like to support us”. 

 Andrea believes that it goes beyond just playing football. 

 “There’s lots of women that watch their kids play football and they never really get a chance to play, and they were that missed generation. It’s about wanting to go out and get fit, and have fun and make friends. 

 “There’s a really good social side to it. We’re all different abilities, we all love football, it’s just about us getting a chance. I think there’s definitely a side of us that is so excited we’re actually playing that we can’t quite believe it! If you’re playing a team sport there is a sense of belonging and being together, and football’s the common denominator.”

And Andrea has plans to make Bromley Belles, who had an impressive 14 women turn up to their first session, even bigger.  

 “The Kent FA are looking to start up a league and having that regular football is a good way to start moving forward. For me personally I’d really like to build the amount of people that we’re able to attract – we haven’t really done that much publicity to be fair.  

 “I’d really like to spread the word and that might mean we end up having a beginner’s and an advanced session. 

 “It’s all about trying to grow; continuing to grow and attract more women, and empower women to go and play football.”  

 She was also full of praise for Bromley FC and how the club have supported the Belles: “Bromley is the biggest borough in London geographically, and Bromley are the only club in the borough and they’ve said ‘why wouldn’t we want to support something that gives people more access to football?’. They’ve been brilliant.  

 “Any time that I’ve wanted to meet with them they’ve been really supportive, and they helped get us a sponsor, and nominating me for that award was really nice! It was acknowledgement and recognition for doing that, but I’m not doing it for that, I’m just doing it because I wanted to play football and get fit as well”.  

 For more information about the Belles, you can find them on Twitter @BromleyBellesFC and on Facebook by searching for Bromley Belles FC.