A Football Revolution

Tobi, England

My name is Tobi, I was raised in Finchley in London and now live in Hendon. I got into football when I was a little kid around eight years old. I was really into it, even though I was the only girl on my team Soccer Revolution. Playing with the boys was tough because some of them did not think I belonged. So I eventually gave it up. 

My first job was coaching football to young kids with the team I used to play for. I absolutely loved it. They knew I was passionate about football but did not feel comfortable playing in the boys team so they offered me a job instead. I was about 14 years old and I did it on weekends. 

I tried to find girls and women’s clubs but I could not find any, so I took a break from playing for years until the men's Euros, where we almost beat Italy in the final. Watching that got me fired up about football again, and that is when I discovered East Finchley Women's Football Club. I slid into their DMs on Instagram, asked to join, and ever since then, I have been completely obsessed with football. I am now the EFWFC social media manager too.

Football has become more than just a game for me; it is an escape, a passion, and a way of life. Exercise is crucial for me, and football has provided that outlet. It has transformed my life by offering a beautiful focus I did not have before. 

What did you try to show with the photos? Was there any wider meaning with the photos?

The photos capture my fellow players from the East Finchley Women's Football Club and our coach Andy. They were taken during our matches and training sessions, showcasing the spirit of our team. I aimed to depict the unity, strength, and empowerment that come with women's football. It is about challenging stereotypes and breaking down barriers.

There is a constant hierarchy in football where women are seen to be lesser than men. Whenever you see a post about women's football on a generic sports page like BBC Sport, all the comments are negative, asking the BBC to keep women's sport specifically for the women's pages. It is as though the default for sport is for men and people comment that women's football is embarrassing and not good. Most of the comments probably come from men that the women in my team would play off the park, but you have to keep it moving and not let the comments get to you! 

My favourite is of our coach on the sidelines during our football tour in Milan that I helped to organise. We organise a football tour every year. This year was Milan, last year was Amsterdam, the year before that was Dublin. We had such a good time playing Italian teams and seeing the different styles of football was great. We had an amazing tournament and afterwards the Italian teams organised pizza and beers to be delivered, it was such a great day.   

Are there any good stories connected with the people you photographed?

There are countless stories of resilience and determination among my teammates. One of our football coaches Andy has gone through a really big operation this year and was not able to come to football for a very long time. The club got together and arranged a fundraiser which raised nearly £3,000 to enable him to see a pain specialist. Now he is back on the pitch like he was before. It is beautiful to see the club come together to support someone when they need it! 

There are also photos where we are on set for a Google Pixel advert. We were picked from many different teams for a World Cup advert and it was such a great day. It felt amazing to see so much visibility for women’s football that we had not seen before. 

What impact has football and EFWFC had on you and your community?

Football and EFWFC specifically has had such a profound impact on me. I have become obsessed with football and the escapism of it. No matter what is going on in your life, when you get on that pitch and you kick that ball around, you forget everything else and I will forever be grateful to EFWFC for that. 

Football is a unifying force in our community. It brings together people of diverse backgrounds, ages, and abilities, fostering a sense of togetherness and shared passion.

What are the opportunities for women and girls to play in your community?

The opportunities for women and girls to play football have grown significantly, although there is still much more we can do to improve opportunities for women and girls. Organisations like EFWFC provide a platform for women of all skill levels to join, learn, and excel. We have also started a girls’ football academy called East Finchley Girls’ Football Academy which currently trains over 70 girls weekly. 

What ambitions do you have for the future?

I hope to continue promoting women's football and challenging outdated perceptions that football is only for men. Football is for everyone. I want to see more girls and women participating and thriving in this sport. I want to see more women coaches in football. 

What is the future for women's football in England? What would you like to change?

The future of women's football in England looks promising. The rise in visibility and support is heartening. I would like to see further investment, media coverage, and eradication of harmful gender stereotypes. Women's football deserves equal recognition and opportunities.