Her Story: The power of watching Women's Sport for the first time

Sport is known to be a powerful aspect in millions of people's lives across the UK, but why does ones first live match stick at the forefront of our mind?

HerGameHerStory Journalist, Gabriella Valentine, caught up with Isabel about her first experience at a Women's football match and the lasting impact it has made on her life.

When and where did you first attend your first Women's, live, match?

My first match was Reading vs Manchester United in the WSL at Madejski stadium in January 2022. The tickets were a Christmas gift from my dad.

What, if any, expectations did you have before you arrived?

I didn’t know how to feel but I was excited. It was my first ever football match so I had no clue what to expect.

What was the very first thing you noticed?

The atmosphere was very different to what I had expected. There was a huge turnout. 5,100 people had shown up which is one of the clubs highest attendances. The away end was packed out with loads of fans chanting and I felt part of something huge.

Was there a specific moment that made you think, this is different?

Not necessarily at the time. I definitely realised a couple years later after going to the FA cup final at Wembley. I realised that the community around women’s football was so strong that the atmosphere didn’t change whether it was 70,000 people filling Wembley or 5000 spread out in Madejski but the feeling of community didn’t change.

How did you feel walking into the stadium compared to walking out after the match?

Post match was electric. I felt incredibly overwhelmed by the whole thing (but in a good way!) It was so unbelievably fun and I was sort of upset that it was over. Definitely a pay off from the initial excitement I felt.

How did that match change your sense of what football, or women’s football, could be?

I had this perception of it as being similar to men’s football but after going to a match I realised that couldn’t have been further from the truth. I think that women’s football has so much potential if we stop so heavily comparing it to the men. The audience you get at a women’s match is so much different, It’s young girls with dreams and their parents and people just wanting to have a good time. The accessibility of women’s football definitely allows more people to attend and definitely makes the atmosphere feel more special.

Since your first match have you taken someone else to their first game?

I’ve managed to take most of my family to a game, I took my stepbrother and step-mum to the FA cup final at Wembley which was absolutely amazing (even though they’re both Arsenal fans and had to watch Chelsea leave with a trophy). Also, I took my mum to see United play London city lionesses in September and even though she doesn’t like football, she said that she enjoyed it. I think that’s what’s so special about women’s football— even non football fans can give it a chance. \

How do you explain that first-time feeling to someone who hasn’t been?

The feeling is pretty indescribable. I’d say that it definitely feels like finding somewhere you belong. It’s a place to escape and be yourself.

Has that moment influenced other parts of your life (career, activism, creativity)?

It was a huge turning point for me. I knew I wanted to work in women’s sports from that point on. I did my GCSE speech on it, I won a prize for a research project into funding in women’s football, I hope to do my EPQ on it and I’ve even been lucky enough to be invited to a Reading game to photograph! I’d love to pursue a career in some aspect of sports media and I don’t think I would’ve considered it if not for that game.

Do you have anything from that day which stands out to you still?

I had the physical ticket for ages. It got lost when I moved but I still hope I’ll find it in the bottom of a draw one day. I have several very poorly photos taken from that day and a Nikita Parris United shirt that in no way fits anymore. Even just going to the retail park by the stadium makes me a little bit nostalgic. It was a big day for me and I think a lot of things bring me back.

Do you think every fan remembers their first women’s match and why?

I think so, especially for young girls. The whole experience is so surreal and it’s something that 5 year old me wouldn’t have even imagined. I see it as such a core memory and I hope others would too.

Women's sport has the power to dominate the sports industry with many major attendances and viewership records already to its name.

Alongside its attendance domination it's also seeing drastic increases to popularity across multiple generations.

48% of first-time women's game attendees are adults, unlike the men's game where most start as children, reducing limitations on who and when they attend their first live match.

As the game continues to grow, we will hopefully see further spark in first-time attendee who have the power to change and grow her game for the better.