GRASSROOTS FOOTBALL, WHERE LEGACIES START

Published: 29/07/2025, By Tora Northman

Grassroots football – legacy starts here. From kerby games on the street and jumpers for goalposts in the park to the very first team you play for, these moments shape generations – and Tora Northman couldn’t agree more. In this article, the Digital Director at Players, and lifelong football player, walks us through her journey in grassroots football, what’s changed, the journey ahead – and why she can’t imagine her life without it.

Growing up in Sweden, football just made sense. Like many girls there, I was encouraged to play sports from a young age – something I now understand to be rare, but incredibly important. Access was never an issue; local teams were everywhere, and joining one felt like the natural thing to do.

At six years old, I joined my first club, E.I.K. A club that had teams of all ages and levels, and is one of the largest in Sweden. It was a short walk away from where I lived in an area called Enskede in Stockholm, and we played on gravel pitches in every weather. I played for a few years before deciding to focus on gymnastics – a decision that meant training four days a week, leaving no time for football. It was a tough choice, but as my friends also started to stop playing, it was the decision that made the most sense at the time.

A few years later, my family moved to Hong Kong, and it also brought me back to football. I had outgrown gymnastics, and despite competing at a high level, there wasn't much growth left for me in the sport. So instead, I joined my high school's football team (or soccer, since I went to an American school, haha), and from the very first training session, that familiar spark was reignited. It was instant, and I was hooked again. There's something incredibly special and inspiring that comes from playing a team sport, and it wasn't until my adult years that I really started reflecting on it.

That year, we played a local women's team – and they absolutely destroyed us. I think the score was something like 7–0, and they didn't even seem tired. I was furious (competitive, always), and in a bad mood, until my coach pulled me aside and let me know that their captain had asked for my contact information. A few days later, I was training with them. That moment changed everything. It wasn't just about football anymore – it was about connection, belonging, and being part of something bigger.

I was 17 when I joined their team in the Hong Kong Women's Division 1 league. I was young, excited, and surrounded by experienced women who took me under their wing. They weren't just teammates – they became the older sisters I never had. When I eventually moved to London, I assumed that chapter of my life had closed. Working in fashion, my schedule was all over the place, and I felt I'd have no time to find a team, let alone play games. But football, as it turns out, had other plans.

It was thanks to a guy I'd just started seeing (he's now my partner of five years) that I found the Victoria Park Vixens. He knew someone on the team and suggested I join them for a training session. I was nervous – showing up to a new team in a new city felt daunting. But I went, and thank God I did, because I've been playing with the Vixens ever since.

Over the past few years, we've played across various leagues and formats – 11-a-side, mixed five-a-side, cage football – and through the club, I've met some of the most incredible people. Football has become my social circle, my weekly therapy session, and my creative outlet all at once.

As an adult, making new friends isn't easy – especially in a city as large and overwhelming as London. When I arrived, I barely knew anyone. I was starting from scratch. But through the Vixens, I found an ever-changing community: women from all walks of life brought together by one simple thing – love for the beautiful game. And week by week, that community became increasingly important to me.

There's something uniquely special about grassroots women's football in London right now. From brand-new beginners to ex-pros just looking to have a kickabout, the community is buzzing – even as it simultaneously faces a million different challenges.

That visibility was powerful – but as with anything, it came with backlash. Social media became a battleground. Men who hadn't seen England win anything since 1966 were publicly claiming that women "couldn't play football," and in 2025, these voices are still loud – especially after Arsenal Women's history-making Champions League win. It's exhausting, and infuriating to see how the women's game is diminished by comparison.

This isn't something new. The FA banned women from playing at professional grounds in 1921, a decision that wasn't reversed until 1970 – less than 60 years ago. That kind of erasure doesn't just go away overnight. Women's football has never been given a level playing field – and anyone involved, at any level, has to fight. We're not just players. We're advocates, too.

Still, I'm hopeful. Big brands are finally designing boots based on women's bodies and research. Arsenal Women are set to play all 11 of their 2025/26 WSL matches at the Emirates. More young girls are pulling on boots and dreaming about becoming a professional – because now, they can actually see what's possible.

Going to a women's game now is more than a match, it's an experience. The quality of football is high, of course, but what makes it so special is the crowd. The energy and positivity, seeing kids in the stands wearing their favourite player's shirt, and people of all ages coming together fills me with so much hope.

But at grassroots level, we still have work to do.

In April, the FA banned transgender women from participating in women's leagues in England. The ruling was not only disappointing – it was a devastating step backwards. The football community has always been strongest when it's inclusive, and this decision fractured that spirit. It's something many of us are actively fighting to change.

Then there's of course, the funding. Kits and boots are expensive – some pairs cost over £200 – and that's before pitch hire is factored into the equation, which can run £120 an hour. Late-night slots in remote locations make things even harder, especially for younger players commuting home in the dark. These barriers limit who can play, and how often.

But it's not all bleak. We're seeing more and more brands stepping up, sponsoring local clubs, helping cover costs, and removing the financial burden from players. At Victoria Park Vixens, we want everyone to feel welcome – regardless of skill, income, or background. With support, that vision becomes more than just a dream.

Right now, there's nothing more exciting to me than women's football. The game has so much to offer, and I want every woman who's even slightly curious to give it a go. I promise: you won't regret it.

Because it's not just about the matches. It's about the muddy boots. The laughter. The post-game pub sessions. The friendships that last. And even if playing isn't for you, there's still room on the sidelines. Come cheer us on.

This isn't just sport. It's legacy. And it starts right here.