Football fanatic Megan Kapadia didn’t realise that her connection to the sport could be any more profound until she joined Hackney’s Women’s Football Club (HWFC).
Kapadia has been playing football since she was a child, initially starting out at Fulham Girls’ Football Club at just ten years old: “I was instantly hooked,” she recalls.
Now, some ten years later, Kapadia is HWFC’s newest right-wing recruit, and she could not be any happier. Speaking to the Hackney Post on International Women’s Day, Kapadia opened our discussion on the significance of tackling bias, stereotypes, and discrimination within football to encourage an inclusive game that celebrates differences.
“The club is not like anything I have come across before, the vibe is just different. I think it is because there is such a history and legacy around HWFC that it makes it stand out,” Kapadia says.
Indeed, HWFC has a legacy to be proud of. Established in 1986, it is the longest running women’s football club in East London, and the first out lesbian team in London, possibly in the UK.
Credit: Hackney Women’s Football Club
The first team currently play in tier 6 in the London and Southeast Regional Women’s league, while the reserve team are in Division 3 North of the Greater London Women’s League.
What separates HWFC from other clubs is their enforcement of a fair play policy, meaning that all club members are encouraged to play competitive football regularly, regardless of their skills, age, ethnic origin, and sexual orientation. “We are inclusive of everybody, and all women are welcome. For us, it is not just about the winning, but the player progression and inclusion”, Kapadia says.
Kapadia’s bond with HWFC is so potent that she is even willing to sacrifice her own personal goals in pursuing the progression of her team. She once dreamed of playing at a professional level, but now her focus remains solely on the development of the team, “I want to progress with the team, and even if we do not progress together, I do not want to change my relationship with football,” she says.
Indeed, it seems others in the team have assumed a similar mindset with other players in HWFC previously playing for the likes of Tottenham Women’s FC, Chelsea Women’s FC, and Juventus Women’s FC. It seems the family ethos of HWFC is what makes these women stick, “Everyone wants the best from each other and we really do look out for one another,” Kapadia adds.
Hackney Women’s reputation has not always been as high as it is today, however. During the late 1980s, when the club was first set up, HWFC also had to deal with the AIDS epidemic. “Our status as a women-led and predominantly lesbian club during the epidemic meant previous members of the club fought a lot of discrimination”, says Kapadia.
She recalls an anecdote of an old player being told that they could not openly show that they were lesbian because it would lead the club into disrepute and “set women’s football back another ten years”.
The shift in conversation to the current situation of women’s football brings a lighter tone to Kapadia’s voice. “the future is bright and positive,” she enthuses. It is true that instances of equality in football are increasing around the globe, and notably just last year the US introduced equal pay acts for male and female football players.
“Admittedly, it is still not a perfect situation as even the top teams in America do not get paid a lot as it is not the most popular sport. But we still must appreciate that this is a great move, and I really hope other countries will follow suit,” she adds.
Kapadia emphasises that the real key to securing equality within football is to cease comparing women’s football with men’s. “It is a different game entirely”, she says.
Kapadia draws on a comparison in illustrating her point, “when we think about running, we would never compare the female 100 metre sprinter with the male 100 metre sprinter and say that the female is no good because her time is not as quick as the male’s time. The female is still good, it is just a different race entirely.” In securing equality within football, this same attitude must be applied.
Yet, it is not just the investors that can bring about change, those within the grassroots communities are able to inspire hope too. Shifting the conversation from men’s football by default to incorporating the women’s game is the first step.
Kapodia acknowledges that phenomenon is largely reaching fruition, “Times are progressing and unlike my time at school, it is no longer seen as strange for a girl to be playing football with the boys in the playground.”
Now, it seems the problem is maintaining a high retention rate of girls in football. Kapadia suggests more airtime for female matches, and more female sports journalists and referees, will do the trick.
Echoing the phrase synonymous with a high street sportswear giant, Kapodia’s final message for women considering taking up football is to “Get involved and just do it. Football is not just a men’s game, someone needs to get the ball rolling and it could be you.
“Nowadays, if you look for the opportunity you will find it. Book the pitches, make the teams, and round up your friends. We can and we will create our own space within the football world as women.”
If you are interested in joining Kapadia and her teammates, find out more here:
https://www.hackneywomenfc.com
