End of an era for U18 Panthers Girls

It is with great sadness that we must announce our first ever girls team has reached the end of the road. U18 Panthers in their final season of girls football, will not be able to complete the season.

The Panthers players and coaches have been an absolute inspiration, blazing a trail for countless girls teams to follow at Hythe & Dibden YFC. The club could not be prouder of the group, and all they’ve achieved with this wonderful group of young women.

Ella, one of the original players who has been with the team since their inception, has provided a statement on behalf of the girls.

Some of you may know our team as panthers, some of you may know our team as Starlights and some of you may know our team as the very first girls team to be formed at Hythe and Dibden YFC.

Panthers has been formed since 2015 and has developed massively throughout the years. Unfortunately, after going from having 5 subs to struggling to get the bare 11, we have had to collectively make the decision to fold. When you get to our age other commitments take priority, college, work and fitting in that reset time that we all need. As well as this, some of us are leaving to take our next steps into the world of adult football which is an amazing opportunity not only for personal development but for all girls wanting to go further with their football journey when the time is right.

As upsetting as this is for us all, we are all leaving proud knowing we have inspired the younger age groups of girls to get involved and sign up to the amazing club that hythe and dibden is. I have played for panthers since the very start in 2015 and have been lucky enough to be the vice captain of the team for a little over 2 years along side Isabelle as our solid captain and incredible Centre back.

Since 2015 where girls football at hythe and dibden yfc all begun, more and more girls have got themselves involved with now 16 girls teams, ages ranging from under 7’s to under 16’s, not including the girls only soccer school too. i am forever grateful for being able to play for such an amazing team with friendships that i’ve formed for a life time. sometimes situations aren’t ideal and it is unfortunate that this is how we’ve had to end our journey together, but we leave with our heads held high after so many impactful years.

From myself and all of us at panthers, we would like to give the biggest thank you to our coaches, Ian and Mark. They, as well, have been here from the beginning and we are all so incredibly grateful for their dedication week after week. From myself personally i would like to give an extra big thank you to Ian and Mark for never giving up on me as an individual player. They have been with me through my entire footballing journey and as much as i know it’s not always been easy, you guys have helped me think more positively, and developed my self confidence much more than i ever thought somebody could.

Although we’ve suffered losses for the majority of those weeks, they never gave up on us. We couldn’t have done it without you guys. Those of us who have played in the past few weeks know how much each of us have fought for this team to remain however with lack of numbers this just isn’t possible. Although our journey together is over, our individual journeys are just beginning.

I wish you all the best of luck for what you all choose to go on and accomplish.