It's all about the team
If one small thing expresses the spirit behind Martinborough Football Club’s Women’s team, it’s their woolly hats. Hand-made for each team member, every green, pink and black beanie with leather label is individual but still part of the team.
By Katherine Robinson. Photography: Lucia Zanmonti.
Back in early 2024, team captain Michelle Ford put out a tentative post on social media – would anyone would be interested in playing for Martinborough Football Club Inc as part of a women’s team. “We started a chat group but we were not expecting to get a full team. We thought we would have to borrow players from other teams, so it always blows my mind that the chat group grew so quickly to 40 – not only with potential players but also supporters.”
The team can now field 22 women committed to not only playing a game, but also regularly coming to training each week. “I find that amazing because they are all so busy with work or family commitments,” says Michelle.
With an age range from 18 to 50, everyone had their own reasons for joining – one wanted to do something to mark a significant birthday, others were looking to regain fitness after having children, newcomers to the village saw it as a way to meet people, and for all it was precious time out for themselves.
Five or so of the players had played before, but for most soccer was a new code. It was one of the challenges, but it also proved to be one of their strengths as everyone learned new skills together. “We are all learning – no one ever makes you feel uncomfortable if you make a mistake,” says team member Sophie Buick.
Charged with training the team, coach Tim Roach was impressed by their commitment. “I have coached teams for around 20 years but I have never known anything like it. They really give it their all. I had a message last week from one of the players who was injured. She said, ‘I can’t play but can I be at the ground and help out.’”
Martinborough village too got behind the team, with supporters regularly turning up to cheer them on at home games. “It makes my heart full to hear them,“ says Michelle.
Local sponsors were quick to back them – major sponsors are P&K, R&M Engineering, Trestle and Mortar Catering; other sponsors are Kitchener’s, Be Happy Chocolate, True Accounting, Rent Ready, Physio Spot, and MPG (Martinborough Plumbing and Gas).
Wairarapa women’s football league is small – Greytown and Carterton field one team each; Masterton has two women’s teams. Starting as they were from scratch last year, for a while Martinborough scraped along the bottom. “You do learn more from your losses than wins – though it’s no fun being beaten so regularly. But we would never give up, we would fight till the end, and still have fun,” says Michelle.
“We’d train in the rain and the cold, and if it is too miserable, we’ll do a whiteboard session or something football-related at the pub. Even after the season ended last year, many were still meeting to train over summer. That kept everyone together and was amazing for the skill levels,” she says.
The hard work paid off – the team ended last year with a win and a draw, and more wins to chalk up this season. Nice as it is to win, you get the sense this is only part of the story.
“They are all different backgrounds, different ages – there is no common element but everyone seems committed to being inclusive. They all look out for each other – and the team is more important than anything,” says Tim.
