When I initially created the ‘Play Brave’ movement it was with you in mind. It is aimed at empowering women and girls of all ages to reclaim their confidence through football. However, it goes beyond sport - it’s about being brave in life, daring to be seen, taking the shot (on or off the pitch) and building unstoppable self-belief.

You juggle work, family, life and yet still show up to train on cold Wednesday nights. You turn up on matchdays ready to compete, represent the badge and give everything. It’s not always glamorous. It’s not always easy. But your commitment never wavers.

That says a lot.

What you’re doing is bigger than ninety minutes on a Sunday. You’re helping to grow the women’s game locally. You’re showing young girls in our community that there is a pathway, that there is a place for them and that they don’t have to shrink their ambitions.

From where I sit on the board, I see the long-term vision. I see the conversations about growth, sustainability and opportunity. But when I watch you play, I’m reminded why we push so hard behind the scenes. Because you are proof that investing in women’s football is worth it.

You represent this club with heart, resilience and professionalism and we couldn’t be prouder of what you’re building together.

Today is about recognising women everywhere, and we hope you take a moment to recognise yourselves too. You’re not just part of this journey. You’re leading it.

Thank you for believing in the vision and for being the epitome of playing brave.

Happy International Women’s Day – To the Women Behind the Scenes

You keep the wheels turning.

At Banbury United there are so many women working quietly in the background - organising, planning, coordinating, supporting. Often without fuss or recognition.

And yet, without you, none of this works.

Football clubs don’t run on matchdays alone. They run on emails sent late at night. On spreadsheets updated. On kit sorted. On sponsors chased. On social media posted. On conversations had when no one else sees the effort.

The club sees it.

We know the hours that go in. We know the emotional investment. We know what it means to care deeply about building something that matters for not just women and girls in our community, but the wider community as a whole.

As someone who sits at board level, I also know how important representation is. Every woman who steps forward into leadership, into volunteering, into responsibility, just know that you are shifting the culture. You are making it normal for women to have a voice in football spaces.

And that’s powerful.

So today, we simply want to say thank you. Thank you for your time, your professionalism, your passion and your belief in what we’re building. It means the world to us all at the club.

Natalie