Richmond Park FC U21s consist of players who are only 16 and 17 years old. They have battled many challenges off the pitch, as well as on the pitch.
Originally, when the girls were 8 years old, they started out playing for a different club. There, they were viewed as unworthy of equal opportunity - an afterthought. They were handed an old away kit to play in, whereas the boys’ team had brand new home and away kits. The girls’ team were only allowed to train in a miniature 5-a-side astroturf or on off-site pitches, contrasting to all the boys’ teams, who had the freedom to train on all of the club’s full-sized premium pitches.
The team felt like they were only accepted there to tick a box, and weren’t viewed as equals. This was frustrating, as for many years, they were the highest performing team in the whole club! In 2015, as an under 11s team, they won the Surrey Women and Girls Premier League, playing against the likes of QPR, Crystal Palace and AFC Wimbledon. Despite this, they still had to wait until the end of club award ceremonies to receive the league cup and medals.
This team isn’t only outstanding in England, internationally they have also proven themselves. In 2017, they won Cup Denmark in Copenhagen, beating the likes of Brøndby and FC Copenhagen. At that point, they’d had enough; the team knew they deserved more. In 2018, tired of not having the same opportunity as the boys’ team, they left to join a new club: Richmond Park FC. Upon leaving, they played the boys’ team and beat them 5-0 - a fitting send-off.
Since joining Richmond Park, they have only improved. In 2019, now U15s, this amazing team of young women reached the final of the Dana Cup in Denmark - one of the world’s largest youth football tournaments. Their phenomenal run didn’t stop there, they also won the U15 Surrey County Cup, beating AFC Wimbledon 3-1 in the final. In 2020 and 2021, the team were top of the Surrey Premier League before the coronavirus brought the season to a close. Since joining Richmond Park, the team’s incredible talent and hard work can finally be matched with club support, resulting in an unstoppable force.
The players in this team uplift one another, helping them reach their full potential. For example, one player has been accepted into the Spurs Women’s Super League Academy (one step below the equivalent of the men’s Premier League!) Some train in the Chelsea development squads and others have gained scholarships to prestigious schools in the UK and Canada.
Christian Humphries, the team’s coach and manager, stated: “There is a great positive energy and friendship among the squad. They love playing football and encouraging each other to improve their skills and performance.” He is a true role model to all these young women, who stuck by them since the beginning. He believed in them and saw their true potential, even when no one else did.
Richmond Park U21s are true ambassadors of Richmond Park FC; they represent the love and passion this club have for football. They are the wonder women little girls all over the country should look up to.
