CPDM Bangor: Inspiring the Future of Women’s Football This International Women’s Day

This International Women’s Day we shine the spotlight onto CPDM Bangor, an inspiration for not only ourselves here at Bangor City Stadium, but women’s football in the area too.

Recently recognised for their “fun and inclusive environment for girls in the local community” through the FAWs Huddle of the Month for February. And, their pathway from juniors football through to the senior team. We were delighted to be able to talk to members of the club, who we are privileged to have as part of the Bangor City Stadium family.

It was clear from every interview the passion for not only football, but also the development of the women’s game held within the club. Versatile defender Georgia Owen-Lewis placed great importance on the sport, as she explained “getting the opportunity to be a footballer means a lot to me because it brings the best side of me out”. Captain of the seniors side Ffion Bee shared this sentiment, placing great importance on not only her own development, but the inspiration she hopes to give to younger players. “Being a footballer to me means dedicating myself to a sport I love”, she went onto explain that her “passion for the game” has given her the “goal of improving myself on the pitch and off”. Taking great pride in her role as captain, Bee explains that “playing as part of a team with a shared goal” is incredibly important to her, and that “representing my community as well has hopefully inspired others to take part”. CPDM Bangor U9s coach and club safeguard and welfare officer Sioned Owen-Lewis highlighted the “privilege of guiding the young talent within the club” as she spoke about what being a women’s football coach meant to her.

Women’s football has evolved considerably over the last decade, as Georgia Owen-Lewis discussed. “There have been many changes in women’s football since I was younger”, going onto mention the improved coverage on live TV as perhaps the biggest change: “the opportunity to see them [women footballers] playing in the Euros or World Cup on TV and the sport becoming bigger”. U9s Coach, and safeguard and welfare officer, Sioned Owen-Lewis also highlighted TV coverage as one of the most noticeable evolutions of the women’s game, “the fact that women are becoming a familiar face on and off the screen, commentating on games, is a huge step forward.” Captain Ffion Bee expressed her joy at seeing the expansion of the women’s game, especially at a grassroots level in North Wales: “I’ve been playing for 10 years, and the growth from then has been incredible”, adding that during her time growing up in North Wales “there wasn’t many opportunities, especially up North, for you to progress within the sport.” However, over the last decade thanks to clubs like CPDM Bangor and coaches like Sioned Owen-Lewis, this isn’t the case anymore. Bee went onto add, “I see more teams for girls as young as Under 7s, more clubs with women’s teams more attention being brough to young talent”. It’s clear there is a strong passion within the club for the evolution of the women’s game, and the changes aren’t stopping here.

When speaking to defender Ffion Bee, she explained that growing up she “couldn’t name you three professional women’s players unfortunately!” which demonstrated the lack of coverage and visibility the women’s game had ten years ago. However, when we asked some of the junior members who their footballing inspirations were, they had no hesitations in listing off Women’s Super League stars. Katy Roberts, an Under 15s left winger, named her two role models as Liverpool Women’s Mia Enderby and Ceri Hollands, explaining “I have been to watch them a few times in the past few years.” Fellow Under 15s attacker, Ellie Thomas also named Ceri Holland as an inspirational role model, alongside Harvey Elliott. When asked, what would they ask their future selves? Both Katy and Ellie made it clear they had big ambitions, and rightly so. Ellie asking, “Did I become a professional footballer and play for Liverpool?” with Katy similarly asking, “Did I ever make it pro, and did I win the WSL [Women’s Super league] with Liverpool Women’s?”

With the women’s game growing from strength to strength, we wanted to see what the players and coaches involved wanted the future to hold. Coach Sioned spoke passionately about her role within BE.FC and their sessions importance, a FAW lead programme with the aim to offer teenage girls across the country a footballing community to join and get involved with. “These sessions give the girls the opportunity to come along make friends, develop team work skills and learn a few football skills under no pressure. This is a safe and fun environment for them”

Skipper Ffion Bee also placed great importance on community-based activities, stating that her aim is to get “involved more within the community, encouraging the younger girls within the club to keep going and encouraging more girls to join – experienced or not!” It was a common theme amongst all age groups, the desire to encourage and inspire more girls to get involved in football, whether they are experienced or not. Under 15s forward Ellie Thomas proudly declared, “be confident in yourself and don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t play” when asked, what advice would you give to other girls who might be thinking about playing football? This level of confidence and community minded spirit at such a young age is testimony to the inspiring attitude fostered at the club.

 It’s clear from the way in which the junior members of the club look up to those who play in the higher age groups and the first team, that the senior members of CPDM Bangor are proving themselves to be the inspirational role models they grew up looking for in the women’s game. With Under 15s Katy Roberts explaining that she looks up to those playing in the first time, and that “it’s fun to think I could be in that position in the future”. Likewise, teammate Ellie Thomas’ statement “I like to be part of the Bangor football family” encompasses everything that CPDM Bangor stand for: a community orientated club to provide the women’s game with a bright future in Bangor and its surrounding areas.

On this International Women’s Day, we are unbelievably proud and fortunate to be celebrating the outstanding work our own CPDM Bangor carries out within the local footballing community. Through the determination, dedication and passion of everybody involved within the club, CPDM Bangor are shaping the landscape of women’s football and certainly leading the way as an example for other clubs to follow.