‘We’re like a family now’: Women’s football team wins grassroots prize

A women’s football team has been awarded £500 by a new initiative aimed at empowering grassroots women’s football teams.

Fusion Lifestyle, which runs Brockwell Lido, announced that The Brockwell Bullets are the first winners of its new programme.

The team includes women from Brockwell, Brixton, Peckham and Crystal Palace, and received more than 25 nominations from fans and players .

The Brockwell Bullets captain, Niamh Davis, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won Fusion’s prize in support of such a grassroots team.

“We started as a group of friends who wanted a kickabout, but this has really snowballed into a committed team full of supportive and fantastic women.

“We are more like a family now and are so excited to continue our journey together as a team.”

The Brockwell Bullets were started four years ago by Ms Davis, who was keen to find an accessible and affordable activity for young women who would thrive in a supportive and inclusive community of like-minded women.

Four years on, the team has grown to a squad of 30.

The team are led by coach George Owen, who gives up his free time to train the women, and five dedicated women on the committee.

Ms Davis said the team intend to use the prize money to help pay for league matches.

She said: “Playing grassroots football is a real joy, but entering into the next league is very expensive and we try to keep costs low, to make sure everyone can play.”

Every time the England women’s football team wins a match in the World Cup, Fusion will donate a prize.

Teams across the country can still nominate themselves for a chance to win £500 worth of support or kit, tailored to their specific needs.

Anthony Cawley, Fusion Lifestyle chief executive, said: “Much like the rest of the nation, Fusion is behind the England team this summer, and to show our support, we’ve created an initiative that will encourage young women to start or keep playing the beautiful game.”

To enter, visit https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/3QBT7SS

Picture: The Brockwell Bullets team (Picture: The Brockwell Bullets)