The Old Bags United Story - Part 3
Football is all about scoring goals and winning matches, over-paid premier league superstars, bald shouty blokes called Lee, crunching tackles and horrible hooligans. Right? Well winning is nice obviously but women’s recreational footy isn’t about yelling obscenities at the ref and having a punch up in the bar afterwards. It’s a way to make friends, a chance to de-stress, a fitness class and a therapy session all rolled into one.
Bags is part of a nationwide network of women’s recreational teams – some more established, like The Crawley Old Girls, and some newer groups. But all have similar tales to tell of thousands of older women across the UK who have discovered or rekindled a love for football and the difference it has made to their life.
Canterbury Old Bags United is made up of dozens of players with very different experiences. Some had never kicked a ball before coming to their first session, others were rediscovering past glories. But all have found the same sense of community and belonging, which is what football should be about.
So, meet (some of the Bags!)
Annie, 40
I saw the post about a new female team for all abilities, just as I was having to make some major life changes, so I thought this is exactly what I need. I was very nervous coming along on the first night, I had always loved football, but never had played. I loved it from the first session, and have never looked back. Bags is not just a team it’s a family, and we always stick together, my pointer would be never miss a session if possible, as even when you’re feeling down, you will always feel better after it.
Ali, 33
I found the BAGS looking online for local women's football training and mustered up the courage to go after a pep talk from my 6 year old son! On arrival I was so nervous and nearly bottled it and left. I'm so glad I didn't! The girls instantly made me feel welcome and I've not looked back since. I had played football at school but as soon as I got to secondary, I felt huge pressure to be more 'girly' and stopped playing. I now feel more confident and comfortable in my own skin. I am a football playing female and no less girly than any other woman, and proud of it! Jo and the rest of the bags family have, unbeknown to them, helped me achieve this.
Katrina (aka Morelli), 44
I joined the old bags aged 42. My only regret is that I didn’t start playing years ago! I joined with zero skill, had never played before. Fast forward nearly three years I'd like to think my football skills have improved and there is definitely more room for continued improvement. Yes, at the start I think I was definitely heavy footed, but like I say I had never played before. Sorry to all this ladies that I may have accidentally tackled too close. Whoops! I can't imagine my like without my football family in it. I have made many friends for life. What an amazing bunch of women...
Now I've never been a fan of playing in the cold and rain. However coach would always say ' come on you are not made of soap’. Of course by the end of training I am buzzing with adrenaline and don't want it to end. Something happens whilst on the pitch, you forget about the daily stresses of family life at times. You matter, you are part of the team, you want to do your best for coach and your team, you feel excited, you feel passionate.
Emma (aka Fixer), 43
In 2017 my mental health was in pretty poor shape. I joined the Bags Facebook group in February and stalked it for a bit. Then finally in April I went shopping bought all the kit in slimming black and turned up to my first session. I was very nervous I'd never played before and had absolutely no idea what I was doing. But I didn't need to be worried. Coach Jo was brilliant and made me feel so welcome. Well that and the fact I was ribbed by Charlotte for looking like a ref!
I have made some of my best friends through the Bags, I've been on huge adventures travelled to other countries to play football and had the most fun. I love playing in tournaments, being part of a team it's the best feeling. Training on a Thursday is my most favourite time of the week. My mental health improved so much, I never feel better than when I'm playing football with the Bags. One positive knock on effect of the Bags is that I have now got my own set of baby bags Sebastian and Ophelia (aged two) .
Poppie (aka Pops), 26 (technically a ‘baguette’)
I was very anxious before I joined. But as soon as everyone said Hello, the nerves disappeared. Everyone was so kind, encouraging and inclusive. When we are on the pitch, we are on it together and you feel like everyone has known each other forever.
I played a little bit at school. Bags gave me the confidence that I hadn’t had since then. Other than confidence and new friends, Bags as made me believe in myself and since then I have begun playing for a local league team, futsal and also coaching Wildcats (girls aged 5-11) with Coach Jo on a Saturday morning, which is amazing to be a part of helping young children love the game.
Chrissie (aka My Chrissie)
I wasn’t allowed to play football at secondary school and once I got a few girls to join me on a strike and we refused to participate in PE as the boys went to play football and we had to do netball. The boys’ male PE teacher came over in a strop and threw a netball into the netball court and told us to ‘go in there and play football with that then!’ and stormed off. I used to kick a ball around in the garden with my step brother when he visited at weekends. But that was about it. I took up keeping fit when I was about 31, trying to lose weight after having a baby and started then looking around online for women’s football teams for over 30s women that hadn’t really played much, but there was nothing. Then a few years later, I saw the post on Facebook and came along to the first Friday. I was really nervous as I am really shy and hate talking to new people! I was also worried that everyone would be better than me, but I really wanted to play football so there was no stopping me coming along! And I loved it! Everyone was friendly and I’ve made some great friends since then. I also met Jo, who suggested I go to work for the NHS at the Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust as an HCA and now I’ve just started my nurse associate training with the trust.
Chrissie, far right, after a tournament victory.
Kelly (aka Kels), 44
It took me a few days to summon up the courage to reply to Jo’s Facebook post about coming along to Bags, I’d just turned 40 and although I really wanted to go, only having ever watched my boys play, I was worried I was either too old to play, wouldn’t be able to play, or both, and anxious about meeting new people, anyway I replied and went along to the first session and never looked back!! 4 years on I’ve hardly missed a session. It’s something I look forward to every week. I’ve learned new skills, improved my fitness and made some amazing friends, friends I’d never have met in my normal day to day world but have come together through football! I really enjoy the training, tournaments, socials at the pub and our annual Bags Fest awards night! If someone had told me before joining bags that one day I’d be playing for the over 40’s at Arsenal, or meeting Steph Houghton at a charity walking football event or going on an amazing France trip to the World Cup I’d have laughed!! Jo is an amazing coach and we are all so grateful for all she does and for putting this amazing team together!!
Kels, third from left playing for the Bags at the Emirates Stadium.
