A Southwark-based football club for adults with learning disabilities has launched south London’s first disabled and non-disabled women’s inclusive tournament, writes Maxine Brigue…
Southwark Stars FC, which hosted its first women’s tournament in December, is the only team in south London for women with learning disabilities.
Louis Wickett-Padgham, a disability sport specialist, began the football club in 2019. Alongside a team of coaches, Louis manages the club, providing weekly sessions for 80 people across London, telling us: “Everyone should have access to play football. Sadly, that’s not the case for lots of players with a learning disability.
“We’ve had players join us in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s who’ve never had a chance to join a football team where they feel welcome.
“That’s really sad and disappointing to me so that’s exactly what Southwark Stars are here to stop.”
The friendly tournament, which hosted six teams, was made inclusive through various ways, including having qualified referees and letting players keep the football in their possession for five seconds before tackling.
“We’re really proud that we offer a football club that looks like any other football club. It’s not a tokenistic thing. It’s professional. It’s fun and exciting.”
Southwark Stars launched their women and non-binary side to go alongside the men’s team two years ago after a few female players expressed an interest.
“People should have equal access [to football] regardless of their gender, age or sexual orientation,” Louis added. The women’s and non-binary team we have provides that for a lot of players.”
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Out of the six teams present at the Christmas tournament, Southwark Stars was the only club with disabled players because they are the only women’s club of their kind in the area. The club started with two female players and has grown to more than 20.
Shamsa Daud, 30, joined the football club at the recommendation of a friend already on the team.
Shamsa said: “I love playing and it’s so fun. I like running and scoring. I love the coaches. They’re all so nice.
“I support Tottenham and I would like to look at more football…We need more girls in the club.”
Another player, Lucy Hughes, came along to the tournament to watch and support her teammates.
The 29-year-old said: “Football teaches us new skills and in our future we can do different jobs. I love being a striker and scoring goals.”
Jenny Buggs, 30, is a Lewisham-based artist and coach for Southwark Stars.
“I love football and I think everyone should be able to access it. I work with learning-disabled adults and adults with brain injuries and I love playing football in my own life. It’s had a huge impact on my confidence.
”People should support disability football because everyone should have a chance to have fun and find a community and play.”
Southwark Stars FC trains adults every Sunday morning at Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Sports Facility in Elephant and Castle.
Jenny added: “We’re really good at scoring goals in Southwark Stars women’s team. We have some high scorelines and when we first score, people are a bit surprised.
To help sustain their work, Southwark Stars has recently gained a sponsorship that allows them to create opportunities more regularly without adding extra costs to their players.
“We’re the one of the only disability teams for women in London and we want to showcase and promote what we’re doing,” Louis explained.
Looking forward, Southwark Stars plan to play other teams in London and other parts of the country. They are also looking to develop their current players and grow to having two or three women’s teams in the coming year.
“The club is for the players, not for me, not for the coaches so everything we do comes from their wants, their needs and what they ask for.”
