13/09/2026
🦉❤️💛 WOW! What an incredible first game for our OWLS Open Age Women! ❤️💛🦉
Just four weeks ago, we were averaging around four players at each training session.
With summer holidays, work and everyday life getting in the way, we knew there were more players waiting in the wings — we just needed to keep the sessions going until everyone could finally get together!🤝
Then the summer holidays came to an end and, almost overnight, this amazing group came together and suddenly we were playing a full 7v7 training match!⚽
Things have moved incredibly quickly over the last fortnight and today we reached a massive milestone, taking 12 OWLS players to St John Fisher Academy for our very first league game, where we faced a young, strong and experienced Tingley Athletic side.🍀
And what a start the OWLS made! 👏
The occasion didn't faze our players one bit. From the first whistle they gave absolutely everything, catching Tingley a little off guard with their energy and determination and creating some early opportunities, with several shots on target.🎯
The majority of the opposition have played together since junior football, so it was perhaps no surprise that after weathering that brilliant early OWLS start, Tingley's experience began to show as they settled into the game and produced a very organised and strong performance.🦾
But one thing was clear throughout...
These OWLS never gave up. Not for a second. ❤️💛
They kept battling, kept encouraging each other and kept playing right until the end. For a group that has only recently come together, they showed everyone watching that once they've had a few games to find their feet and really gel as a team, they're going to be a force to be reckoned with! 💪🦉
And today really was a complete team performance.
From the solid defensive displays of Claire, Chantell and Sophie, to the silky runs down the wings from Ruth and Sam. 🛡
From the superb hold-up play of Sadie S and Rachel, to the courageous midfield battles fought by Dana and Sadie E. 🤺
From the quality and threat Nikki showed going forward, to an outstanding all-round performance from the powerhouse that is Nicky, earning her Tingley's Player of the Match. 👏
And finally, the superb shot-stopping, bravery and commitment shown between the posts by Mandy, who deservedly picked up our OWLS Player of the Match award. 🧤⭐
This was a true TEAM performance in every sense of the word.
Every single player brought hard work, determination and a desire to help their teammates. But what was perhaps most exciting was that every player also brought something slightly different to the game, complementing the strengths of those around them.🤩
They might not have their kit yet — hopefully it's here for our next game! 🤞😂 — but they had skill, they had grit, they had determination, they had camaraderie...
But most importantly, they had FUN! ❤️💛
As their assistant coach, I'm incredibly proud of these players. Now that I've seen first-hand just how capable and determined they are, I'm really looking forward to working alongside Beth to help this team gel, develop and fulfil their incredible potential as footballers.⚽
Of course, a football "team" is always bigger than just the players on the pitch, so I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank a handful of people who helped make today — and this team — possible.
A massive thank you to our Club Secretary, Sami, and Club Welfare Officer, Emma, who worked tirelessly with the fantastic team at West Riding County FA to get us into the league at such short notice. They also gave up part of their Sunday to make sure everyone was registered and able to play today. 👏❤️
And lastly, a special thank you to Grace for calming my pre-match nerves and helping me keep track of everything that was going on! 😂
Four weeks ago, we were keeping those training sessions ticking over while holidays, work and other commitments meant we hadn't yet managed to get everyone together.⌚
Four weeks later, 12 players walked into St John Fisher Academy representing Wakefield OWLS in our Open Age Women's first ever league game. 🦉❤️💛
What a difference a few weeks can make — and what an exciting journey we've got ahead of us.✈
Well done, everyone!
WHO ARE WE? OWLS! 🦉🦉🦉
