Bemerton Heath Harlequins Ladies gear up for first ever match
It's a historic day for the newly formed side
In a year of firsts for the club Bemerton Heath Harlequins will achieve another first today (Sunday 3rd September), as their ladies side takes to the field for their first competitive match.
The men’s side made club history earlier this year by gaining promotion to the Southern League Division 1, the highest level the club has been represented at.
But in a year of high-profile success for women’s football, where England won the Women’s Euros and reached the Women’s World Cup Final, the club has created its first ladies side.
Bemmy Ladies take on Bath Athena, another newly formed club, at the A-Class arena in the Wiltshire County Women’s and Girls League.
Manager Jason Mussellwhite spoke to Greatest Hits Radio about the upcoming season.
Jason told us starting a new club is a challenge, but one part stands out for him in particular.
“I think the biggest thing for me will be kind of making it sustainable. I don't want to start a clutter team and then you know we we do well, maybe one season and next season there's a fall away and we know we can't progress and we can't continue to build.”
Part of Jason’s vision for the side is to recruit a female coach, as the current team of four is all-men.
Jason has led the team in two pre-season fixtures, with victories over Eling Ladies as well as Andover New Street Ladies.
We also spoke to club captain Ellen Clarke, who told us the squad are excited to get going.
“We have a lot of Members now and we have sponsorship and everything that would normally feel like take forever to get going, maybe in a couple years. It happened rapidly.”
We asked her what a successful season looks like for the Bemmy Ladies and Ellen replied: “Winning!”
“It sounds a bit ruthless in a way, but I think we're set up really well and there's no reason why we shouldn't be reaching the top of our league at all, winning some silverware.
“Of course, having a great bunch of people supporting each other is huge as well. But I think when it comes down to it, it's winning.”