As a young girl growing up in Northern Ireland in the 2000s I count myself very lucky to be afforded opportunities in many aspects of my life. One of those which I will be forever grateful for receive is the opportunity to get into sport from a young age, in particular football. From the tender age of 5 I fell in love with the sport and since then that love has continued to blossom, thanks to Carnmoney Ladies.
After a couple of years playing out my back garden with my dad, I finally joined a club just after my 8th birthday. I thoroughly enjoyed it but the club sadly folded a few years later, leaving me devastated and not knowing where to turn. My fledgling career in the sport seemed to be over before it had even started. That’s when my dad found Carnmoney Ladies.
The club was founded in 2011 by Chairman Steven Lowry and has been my second home for six years now. I’ve made friends for life at the club whilst progressing through the ranks to the point where I now play women’s football in the NIWFA North 2 at the age of 17. None of the these things would have be possible without the club and I can say that for many of my friends there that feeling is mutual.
This is why I decided to catch up with Chairman and founder Steven recently in order to quiz him on the humble beginnings of the club, how they have grown from there and where he sees the club in the future. Here is the interview in full, hope you enjoy!
LM: Why did you decide to set up Carnmoney Ladies in 2011?
SL: “There were three main motivating factors in my decision to set up the club: Firstly, I have 3 daughters and recognised the need to provide opportunities for females to play football in my local community of Newtonabbey.
Secondly, I had already started a mixed boys and girls club in 2008, which is still going even to this day. In order to give an identity to and create a focus on girls football, I decided to step down from the boys club and formed a new club, that being Carnmoney Ladies. Finally, I was invited by Alfie Wylie (N.Ireland Senior Ladies manager) to attend a UEFA Study Group to Malmo, Sweden to research the structure and format of ladies football in Sweden; which was funded through the EU Erasmus Programme. This only served as a further motive to set up an all female club.”
So you had the idea to form an all female club, how did you then go about doing so?
“Initially I just advertised through my local community, schools and youth organisations to raise the profile of the club. Then we created our Social Media platforms, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to give the club a presence online. I also worked with Sara Booth and Jackie Blyth in the Women’s Football development Team in the IFA, who provided coaches for girls-only Summer Camps for 2 years.”
The club is now obviously massive, how are you able to continue to manage and run it?
“The club couldn’t function without the team of coaches and administrators who volunteer to help run the club on a week-to-week basis. I just oversee the activities of the club.”
For people who may not know of Carnmoney Ladies do tell us what position the club are now in?
“Our club is currently as strong as it ever has been, with membership continuing to rise. We currently have 110 juniors from our Mini-Soccer to Under 15 teams. We have 40 players registered with our 2 NIWFA teams, plus 25 coaches and administrators.
On the playing side, we have 7 small-sided teams, and 3 11-a-side teams. We complete in both regular football and Futsal formats throughout the year. The club has also agreed a sponsorship package with Crown Paints, an international brand which appear on all our matchday kits. We now have the 3rd biggest social media following of any ladies club in N.Ireland.”
What have been the most challenging aspects of managing and running the club throughout the years?
“Managing our growth and ensuring the club is sustainable in the long-term.”
And What have been the most rewarding aspects?
“Difficult to quantify as there are many. Success on the pitch is obviously a bonus but the, development of players from juniors to seniors is integral as is international recognition of players, and our relationship with Nortel which allows us to have our own facilities. The progression of the club, as a whole is itself amazing.”
What do you make of the growth of not just Carnmoney Ladies but Women’s football as a whole since 2011?
“It has of course been very pleasing to watch our club grow and develop, but it is also a challenge to respond to the opportunities of the future. I am pleased that our club continues to provide opportunities for females to play football on a regular, competitive basis.
It is great that Women’s football has also grown domestically since 2011 with more girls clubs being formed and senior leagues being more competitive.
Internationally, we have hosted many tournaments since then, the highlight being the UEFA U19 Championships last summer. Additionally our international squads now have a greater depth of talent to select and have improved their World ranking as a result.”
Great night to celebrate the launch of the @NIWFA_ 2018 League at Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Our club was represented by Hollie (Seniors) and Lauren (Athletic).
Also a great opportunity to launch our new 2018 Nike kits sponsored by @CrownPaintsIRL supplied by @ClubsportNI pic.twitter.com/pQDnDcYaLH
— Carnmoney Ladies FC (@carnmoneyladies) April 20, 2018
Finally, where do you see Carnmoney Ladies in 5 years time?
“In 5 years I would hope that our senior team will be playing in the NIFL Women’s Premier League (They are currently sitting 2nd in the NIWFA Championship, the division below the Premier League) and that our small–sided and youth teams will continue to have the strength and depth of members and talent. I also aim for our club to be in a position to respond to initiatives, projects and programmes which will be created by governing and funding bodies to challenge, improve and develop our club.”
A great insight there from Steven into what it’s like to form and run a football club in Northern Ireland.