What are the Bromley Belles?
Bromley Belles FC is a women’s recreational football team for women aged 16 and over with our Belles ranging in age from 16 to over 60. We were set up in March 2018 with just 12 ladies attending the first session and now have 40 women registered. We are affiliated to and supported by Bromley FC and are part of their community programme.
What is women’s recreational football?
Football is one of the biggest women’s sport in England and there are now more opportunities than ever before to take part in the beautiful game.
Women’s recreational football has grown in the last five years from Arsenal to the Wirral Valkyries there are now over 50 teams in the UK.
Aimed at all women aged 16 to over 60s, recreational football is an ideal way to start playing football especially if you have never played before or you have not played for a long time.
At Bromley Belles sessions are fun and friendly. Run by a FA qualified coach, the main emphasis is on learning new skills and getting fit. Each session involves practices, fitness and playing games and is tailored to each player’s ability meaning no previous experience is needed.
We run a session for Over 30s and also a session for women aged 16 – 29.
Recreational football is about playing football for fun. It’s an opportunity for like-minded women, regardless of age, ability, size and experience to meet up and play football. Recreational football is fun, friendly and sociable. As well as getting fit, playing football means you meet new people and become part of a team on and off of the pitch.
What if I’ve never played football before?
That is not a problem. You do not need any previous experience at all to come along. Many of the women who have joined Bromley Belles have either never played football before, or only kicked a ball in the back garden or at best played a long time ago (when they could run a little faster!)
There are no trials to join the Belles – you just turn up and play. If you would like to watch before attending a session then you are more than welcome to come along and see what we do and meet and chat to the other players. We are very welcoming. Remember most of the Belles were apprehensive or nervous when they first turned up. It’s a big thing to join a new team but we are a very friendly group and love to welcome new people.
Do you need to be fit?
No you just need a willingness to have fun and learn a new skill. We are all of different abilities but everyone plays together at their own pace.
What do you do in each session?
Each session lasts one hour and is run by a qualified FA coach. Our coach makes sure the sessions are fun and also improves our ability so we can do our best when we play matches. During our Over 30s session, players can choose whether they would like a gentler kickaround or one that involves a faster pace. The choice is yours! We finish each session with a game.
What do I need to play?
You just need to wear normal sports clothes. We play on an astro pitch so you can come along wearing trainers if you do not have football boots. If you have boots then they must be moulded boots. No metal stud boots are permitted on the Astro pitch. If you have shin pads please bring them as well.
Do you play in a league ?
At present we do not play in a league but there are discussions with the county FA to set one up. We do though organise friendly games with other recreational teams and attend festivals and tournaments. The main emphasis of these is to have fun. We take part in the Women’s veteran category of the FA People’s cup each year and have travelled to France to take part in the ‘Old Girls’ World Cup. If you join the Belles you do not need to play tournaments, it is not compulsory.
Are there any social events?
Like all good sports team we enjoy meeting up off the pitch . We regularly meet up as a team with socials including watching Bromley FC, following the England Lionesses, completing charity events and going out for dinner.
When and where?
Sessions run every Wednesday evening.
Our Over 30s session runs from 8-9pm.
Our Under 30s (16-29) session runs from 9-10pm
Both sessions are held on the 3G stadium pitch.
For more information and to join Bromley Belles please email andrea.ellis@bromleyfc.co.uk