Helen Bellfield on International Women's Day 2025!
“Representation is so important - and that this representation is truly diverse - it challenges stereotypes of what women can and can’t do, and provides role models that kids and younger players can fully relate to” states Women’s Reserve Team Manager Helen Bellfield on the importance of female representation in sport. “Increasing visibility is important, but ultimately this needs to be every day, not just International Women’s Day”.
Facing both challenges and successes during her time in the sport, Bellfield spoke about some of the obstacles that women have faced, and continue to face: “Barriers include a lack of representation, which also reinforces stereotypes around whether women can be good managers and coaches, the time commitment and limited full-time paid opportunities within the women’s game, coupled with the cost of coaching licenses” being just some of the hindrances the women’s game faces.
When asked about the specific challenges that she had faced, Bellfield stated: “Being taken seriously, especially when I was younger, when people would often assume that other members of the team were leading, which I dealt with by demonstrating what I could do”.
“I have also been hugely privileged in getting the opportunities to lead that which many women don’t have. There are many more barriers and challenges for women of colour to have these opportunities, and that is reflected in the fact that both football and the environment sector that I work in have disproportionately few women of colour in leadership positions”.
Speaking about the opportunities she has had, and the influences on her career, she spoke highly of her former coach Abigail Ingram, who continues to support her today.
“She was the first female coach I had after a decade of playing women’s football when she coached at Dulwich Hamlet Women a few years ago [...] When I knew my playing career was ending with injury I approached Abigail to ask her about coaching and what she enjoyed about it and ended up trying it myself with Girls United”.
“I really enjoyed it and 3 years on I still coach with Girls United as well as then having the confidence to step up and into the Dulwich Reserves Manager role when our manager left at short notice at the beginning of last season. Abigail still acts as a mentor whenever I have questions and supports my coaching development”.
A small part of something bigger, Bellfield highlighted the importance of local league girls’ teams for the growth of the sport: “I stopped playing football at 11, until I picked it up again at university, as there were no nearby girls teams. So seeing a thriving local league for girls in South-East London through my work with Girls United is great to see”.
This is not the only success that she spoke highly of, however, highlighting her most rewarding aspect of being a female manager as seeing “players enjoy their football and to see them develop their skills”.
“With Dulwich, to see the team come together and develop an identity. [The] highlight of this year was to see the Reserves play their best football on a big occasion at Champion Hill, and dominate a quarter-final game”.
The growth of women in sport in recent times has been huge, but it’s important to continue this trend and inspire more women and girls to get involved in the sport.
“From the Lionesses winning the Euros in front of a full house at Wembley to the growth of the Pepper Army, the support and interest in women’s football has exploded - although clearly there is a long way to go in terms of equal facilities, wages and representation across the game. I haven’t seen many other female managers, coaches or refs this year!”
Therefore, with plenty of growth already in the women’s game, and advancements still to be made, Bellfield encourages young girls just to “play! You will make friends, learn new skills” and potentially find a love for the sport which continues to grow.
OUR RESERVES ARE BACK AT CHAMPION HILL:
We're delighted to announce that our reserves side are coming back to Champion Hill on Sunday 30th March as they host Bognor Regis Town in the L&SERWFL Plate semi-final. Season tickets are valid for this game. If you haven't got a season ticket then you can purchase your match tickets here.
MATCH PREVIEW | Chesham United vs Dulwich Hamlet | FAWNL | 9/3/25
We're heading to the end of the Metropolitan Line on Sunday afternoon as we visit Chesham United in the FAWNL. The Hamlet will look to build on a positive February and start to March as they aim to finish their debut season in the 4th tier with a flurish.
Last weekend the Hamlet comfortably disposed of strugglers Ashord Town (Middlesex) 5 goals from the Hamlet meant all 3 points returned to south London as March began with a bang.
The Hamlet head into this unbeaten in their last 4 thanks to victories over Ashford and London Bees whilst also picking up points against Cambridge United and Chatham Town.
The hosts on Sunday come into this on a winless run of 3 games. They've experienced defeats against Norwich City and AFC Sudbury in the league as well as a 2-0 defeat to Newport Pagnell Town in the Buckinghamshire Senior Cup.
When these 2 sides met at Champion Hill it was the Hamlet who swept Chesham United aside with relative ease with a 3-1 victory in November.
SQUAD NEWS:
Jodie Lodge is looking at returning to action for our game against QPR following an ankle injury she sustained against Cambridge United. Lucy Monkman also remains out following an injury she sustained in training earlier this year.
SUPPORTERS' GUIDE:
Joining us at The Meadow? Make sure to read our supporters' guide here.
MATCH CENTRE:
If you can't join us in Chesham you can follow the game on our Match Centre here.
NEXT AT CHAMPION HILL:
We return to SE22 on Saturday 23rd March when we host Queens Park Rangers. Tickets are available here.
FIXTURE NEWS | Enfield Town match given new date.
Following confirmation from the competition organisers we are pleased to announce our Capital Women's Cup quarter-final against Enfield Town has been rearranged.
We'll now head north on Sunday 16th March with kick-off at 14:00. Further information will follow in the coming days.
NEXT AT CHAMPION HILL:
WE return to Champion Hill on Sunday 23rd March when we host Queens Park Rangers. Tickets available here.
SUPPORTERS' GUIDE | Chesham United | The Meadow | 9/3/25
We're back on the road and heading north as we visit Chesham United in the FAWNL. Here is everything you need to know.
TICKETS:
We can't find any ticketing information on the Chesham United website. When we find out we'll share ticketing details on our various social media channels.
STADIUM ADDRESS:
The Meadow, Amy Lane, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, HP5 1NE
HOW TO GET THERE:
By car:
Take J18 off the M25 taking the left lane of the slip road to turn left on to the A404 to Chorleywood/Amersham. You will follow this road through Chorleywood straight through 2 sets of lights. You will then pass a school on your left handside, about 1 mile down the road from there you will see the road bear to the left with a right turn to Chenies and Latimer, take this turn and follow the road in to Chenies, this road will lead you to Chesham, you will see a manor house to your right as you follow the road for about 3 miles. You will eventually find yourself on a one way system at a ‘left turn only’ junction, you will shortly pass an open air pool to your left, follow the road under the bridge, Chesham United is the 2nd exit off the roundabout.
By train:
Chesham is part of the London Underground network and is at the far west of the Metropolitan Line. Walk out of the station and head down Station Road towards the High Street. Turn left and walk through the town until you reach a pedestrian crossing (opposite the Red Lion). Cross the road and bear left by the pub then continue walking until you pass two petrol stations which are opposite each other. At the next roundabout the third exit takes you into Chesham United’s ground. The walk from the station takes 5-10 minutes.
WHAT PUBS ARE NEARBY?
Chesham is blessed to have a large number of pubs relatively close to both the train station and football stadium. Our best picks are: The Generals Arms, The George & Dragon and the Red Lion all are short walks from the station and around 10/15 minutes from The Meadow.
CAN'T JOIN US?
We'll have live coverage of the match on our Match Centre here.
NEXT UP AT CHAMPION HILL:
We host Queens Park Rangers next at Champion Hill on Sunday 23rd March. Get your tickets here.
QPR next to visit Champion Hill
Old rivals Queens Park Rangers are next to visit Champion Hill on Sunday 23rd March in the FAWNL.
TICKETS:
Be at Champion Hill for our penultimate home game of the 24/25 campaign by getting your tickets here.
Address
Champion Hill Stadium,
Edgar Kail Way,
East Dulwich,
London.
SE22 8BD.
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