The Arsenal Foundation has helped to fund the Islington District girls’ team, with Arsenal in the Community providing kit, equipment and access to Arsenal Women games too. We hear from three local girls who love the game and striving to keep on getting better and better.
Silya Hamri (above), 11, tells us about how she got a place in the team via a chance encounter with London Football Schools…
“My parents are from Algeria but I was born in Islington so of course I am a big Arsenal fan – I was really happy when I recently had the opportunity to meet Leah Williamson. I’m in Year 6 at school and I also enjoy gymnastics, although I recently gave that up to concentrate on football.
“I was on my way to a class on Mariott Road when I saw a group of girls playing football and pushed my dad to ask the coach if I could join in – that’s when I started my journey to the Islington District team. We spoke to the coach, Tom, and he invited me to a trial at London Football School’s Tufnell Park session. I was so excited and I was really looking forward to it. I just love football so much and wanted to be part of a team.
I enjoyed the session hugely and it must have gone well because I was offered a place in the team. I also met Ellen from London Football School, who referred me for a trial with the district team.
“Again, I went for a trial and secured a place, but I wasn’t going to stop there. I always want more challenges and to push myself to get better, so I also joined the school football team, and then before I knew it I was offered a place at the Watford Women Academy.
“It’s a hectic schedule now because I play every day: Monday is an under-11 boys’ match, Tuesday is a school tournament, on Wednesday I train with the under-11 boys, Thursday is district training and on Friday I train with Watford. Then on the weekend I play matches. Training is a mix of team work, skills sessions and fitness sessions – all the things we need to play well in the matches and develop as players.
“I like playing in midfield because for me it’s the best position to help the team, create chances and score goals. In my school tournament we’re top of the league and I’m scoring a lot of goals. I’m ambitious and I’ve set myself the target of winning the Ballon D’Or. I know that’s a long way off but I’m training and practising all the time and I can feel I’m getting better. I’ve also made lots of friends through football and that gives me the confidence to play well, work hard and keep getting better.
“Football means to much to me and to so many people, and I think it’s great that football clubs can give so much more than just entertainment by helping people in the local community. Arsenal have helped us so much, providing matchday and training kit plus equipment, and Arsenal in the Community have generously taken us to matches as well to watch Arsenal Women in person.
“If I become successful as a footballer I would like to help people in my community too. I know Arsenal Women players do that – especially Lotte Wubben-Moy – and they’re a real inspiration. Many people are struggling and I want to help them if I can.”
Aya plays up front and believes her ability to pick out a pass has improved since joining Islington District Girls
Aya Zourdani, 10, is a huge Arsenal fan whose favourite players are Leah Williamson, Manuela Zinsberger and Bukayo Saka
“I love football and I take part in other sports too – I have karate lessons twice a week and have reached my brown belt, which is two grades away from a black belt, and I also take part in many school activities like basketball, hockey, tennis and tag rugby.
“My school PE teacher told me about the Islington District team as he knew I loved playing football at any opportunity. He give me a form to fill out for the trials and I was super-excited to have a go. I have a strong passion for the sport and I have so much fun playing so I wanted to push myself. I really enjoyed meeting other girls who share the same interest as me.
“I trained very hard for the trials and really put my mind towards it. To my surprise I was accepted on the team and was overjoyed. We’ve been training on Thursday evenings and playing matches with other district team teams on certain Saturdays.
“In training we start with free time while everyone gets ready, and then we get into pairs – as civilised as possible! – and practise different passing and dribbling skills. We then go on to shooting drills against each other and 1v1s, 2v1 and so on. We always play a match, mixing up the team each time and pushing each other really hard to improve.
“My preferred position is striker but I can also play on either wing. I think my best attributes are my skills and ideas on the ball – I’ve noticed since I’ve been playing more that I’m good at spotting if others are in a better position than me to go forward and finding a gap to pass the ball through to them.
“Our team has been doing well and we have been on a long unbeaten run. We had a tough game against Hackney recently where we went 1-0 down, but with a lot of courage and teamwork we came back to win 2-1.
“I think women’s football has become more acceptable as the game is improving and is exciting to watch. Recently I was playing in a team where we didn’t know each other and I was the only girl – I found the boys to be very supportive and respectful, passing the ball to me regularly, allowing me to play up front and cheering me on when I scored.”
Niyah says winning her first tournament with the team is a memory that will stay with her forever
Niyah Smith, 11, believes playing for Islington District is making her a better player – and she enjoys showing the boys just how good she is.
“I’m in Year 6 and my other interest is playing table tennis. I found out about the Islington District team last year when my coaches from my grassroots team told me about the trial. I went because I felt it would be a rare opportunity to represent my borough, and I would feel honoured to do it.
“I was excited when I got through the trials and made it onto the team. It goes hand in hand with my grassroots team because we train and play matches on different days, so I get to do both.
“I enjoy my training sessions. We get to work on our skills and try different ways to do things with and without the ball. I like it because there’s a lot of teamwork, but our coach also gives us things to work on as individual players.
“I play three different positions: striker, left wing and goalie. But my preferred position is striker. I feel my attributes are that I have the ability to read the game I’m playing well. I feel I also have good vision, which helps me make quick decisions on the pitch and gives me the ability to play the right pass, and also I have a good eye for goal.
“One of the highlights that I will definitely remember is winning my first tournament with Islington District – we got to take the shield home. Playing with this team has definitely given me more confidence, and I’m able to show that more because my coach is playing me in positions I didn’t think I would be to good at. We have a really good team and I’ve also made some really good friends. We still have fun while training.
“I also play against boys in my age group and I feel like I have to really prove myself to show them I’m just as good as they are – or maybe sometimes even better! Going to watch the women play, there’s always a great atmosphere and the stadiums are full, so I feel the women are being recognised more now.
“I also feel it’s a good thing that football clubs help support local charities because they are right at the heart of their communities. Someone might be able to achieve something they thought they never could because they’ve had help from a charity that The Arsenal Foundation donated to.”
For more information visit londonfootballschool.co.uk
The girls on the team are training hard, winning trophies and – most importantly of all – having fun playing the sport they love
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