FEATURE | CELEBRATING AND SHOWCASING WOMEN IN FOOTBALL

A weekend of celebration ahead, in association with Her Game Too

The Southern League is proud to be joining the Isthmian League and Northern Premier League in showcasing the work of Her Game Too at this weekend’s fixtures, which fall on International Women’s Day.

Clubs throughout our four divisions will be celebrating the occasion and promoting the diversity and inclusion which exists amongst them.

“Many of our member clubs celebrate International Women's Day every year and we are keen to support them with this joint Trident League initiative to promote the role girls and ladies play in our national game,” said Stephen Hyde, Diversity Director of the Southern Football League “By dedicating the fixtures on 8 March to Her Game Too, we hope to raise awareness and encourage clubs to engage with a Her Game Too Ambassador to act as a champion at their club, and contribute to eradicating sexism and discrimination from the game.”

Lucy Ford, Co-Founder and Head of Grassroots at Her Game Too, said: "I'm delighted that the Isthmian League, Northern Premier League and Southern Premier League have all come together to collectively support Her Game Too on the weekend of the 8 and 9 March.

“To have so many clubs up and down the country dedicating their upcoming fixtures on International Women's Day to Her Game Too is an incredible show of support.

“We want to say a huge thank you to the Isthmian League, Northern Premier League and Southern League for their support in promoting the Her Game Too message."

There are a large number of women who play a vital role within our member clubs, one such is Beth Prouse, physiotherapist at Pitching In Southern League Division One South outfit, Mousehole.

We recently caught up with her on one of the many long away trips that she has to face over the course of the season.

It’s late Tuesday afternoon and the Mousehole team bus is heading for an evening fixture at Shaftesbury, writes Kevin Bishop.

The boys at the back of the bus are playing poker, listening to their headphones and catching up on work emails. At the front, the coaching staff are gathered around the tables, discussing the tactics and plan for that evening’s match. As well as starting line-up, formation and set pieces there’s a focus on injury and rehab. And that’s where Beth Prouse comes in and she values it highly.

“I feel respected here,” says Beth. ‘Being the only female on the coaching staff doesn’t faze anyone—it’s just not an issue. Respect is a big part of this club, and I truly feel that.”

Beth is now over halfway through her second season at Mousehole. She came to the club after studying Sports Rehab at St. Mary’s University in London. During her time there she had placements at Aldershot Town FC and Barnes Rugby Club, but it was during her time at Anatomie, a Sports Clinic in London, that she gained some real celebrity experience. Solomon Abrahams is a physiotherapist and acupuncturist who has worked with Arsenal FC and is also currently personal physio to David Beckham.

“Just a few weeks before I went there, David Beckham was actually in the studio,” she added. “So that was incredible.”

But none of this might have happened for Beth had it not been for her grandfather, Anthony Paull. A goalkeeper for clubs throughout Cornwall, such as St. Blazey, Falmouth and Porthleven, his influence on the young Beth was a major spark – although much to her regret, she never same him play.

"Everyone knows him—you can't go anywhere around football in Cornwall without someone recognising him,” she said with a smile. “He’s always at a game, barely missing any - except maybe when he broke his leg. As a kid every Tuesday, he’d pick me up from school, take me to the park and just kick balls at me. I was a goalkeeper back then, and later, when I moved outfield, he’d throw balls for me to head. Football was always our thing. Even when I was at university, he’d still go watch Helston play, even if I wasn’t on the pitch. Now, after every Mousehole game, he’ll call me the next day to talk about the match and the results. He just can’t get enough of it.”

Beth went to Redruth School where her PE teacher, and now Head Teacher, Craig Bonds had a huge influence on her: “My mum made me do ballet when I was younger, and I hated it. I really wanted to try football. So I tried it playing with the boys at break time and they suggested I come along to St. Day. So then I kind of just excelled and through school but yeah, Craig Bonds gave us unbelievable opportunities, like playing rugby at Twickenham Stadium.”

Beth was the only girl in the boys’ team at St. Day until the age of 16, something she feels has prepared her well for life at Mousehole.

“To start with it was hard, but I just held my own,” she recalled. “I did what I needed to do. And I didn’t let the boys affect me. It was until under 16 level when I was a victim of sexism and things like that. I nearly stopped playing. But up until that point, I almost felt happy after a game because if a boy was knocked off the ball because of me, they would then go home feeling a bit down, but then I’ll be like, Ha, yeah. You just lost to a girl!”

It was during this period that Beth represented Cornwall at County level and played alongside of the now-England footballer Katie Robinson. Beth remembers watching Katie make her debut for the national squad.

"I almost get speechless, to be honest. I remember playing with her back in the under-10s for Cornwall, and we worked so well together. To see her walk onto the pitch at Wembley and make her England debut—it was emotional. It’s amazing to see someone from Cornwall actually make it."

After St. Day, Beth joined Helston and her footballing career took off. She’s been with Helston up until now and fast established herself as one of the leading goal scorers in the county. She recently decided that a change in direction was needed and is moving on in the near future to pastures new.

Away from her playing prowess, Beth is now firmly establishing herself as a core and trusted member of the Mousehole first team backroom staff. It’s a challenge she relishes and is always learning on the job.

"At first I was nervous but excited. Nervous because there was a lot riding on me—when dealing with injuries, you have to get the diagnosis right and get players back quickly, and I’m quite hard on myself in that regard. But excited because I knew I’d be learning so much in a great environment, working alongside people like Head Coach, Jake Ash and his coaching staff, Andy and Fletch. Last year, I had [former head of medical] Gareth helping me, but this year, I’ve taken on more responsibility on my own, which has been exciting. It’s pushed me to be better, to make sure I get things right."

Mousehole fans will now be familiar with Beth running on the pitch with the medical bag after a player goes down. But there’s far more to the role than just hands-on matchday treatment.

"There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes,” she continued. “I have to check in with players on a Sunday, even if I have a game myself, to see how their injuries are progressing. I have to stay on top of rehab plans—adjusting them if needed—monitor scans, communicate with Jake, Fletch, Charlie and Gibbo about recovery timelines, and plan the week ahead, especially for full-time players returning from injury.

“Whether it’s training, gym work, or rehab, there’s always something to manage. It’s almost never-ending."

And it’s not just the players physical well-being that Beth has oversight of.

“A lot of players open up to me about how they’re feeling, and I’m there for them in that way. Long-term injuries can be really tough to process—realising how long you might be out and what to do with that time. For players who train twice a week and play on weekends, having that taken away is hard. It’s important to let them talk, express how they feel, and sometimes adapt rehab sessions to include football, so they feel like they’re getting back on the ball sooner. Keeping them in a positive mindset is key because if they’re feeling down, their rehab won’t go as well. A good attitude makes all the difference in recovery."

But it’s a challenge she thrives on.

"They're absolutely brilliant,” she said without hesitation. “We have great banter, and they’re always there for me. Just because I’m the physio doesn’t mean I can’t talk to them about things—we have a good laugh, but there’s also respect. They listen, they trust me, and they know they can come to me with anything. From day one, they made me feel welcome."

Beyond being physio and her playing career, Beth is about to embark on a new venture setting up her own company - BP Pro Rehabilitation – based at St. Day Football Club.

"It's another learning curve—I've never run a business before, so I’m figuring it out as I go. It’s exciting, but also stressful at times because there’s always something new to learn. Just when you think you’ve done one thing, you realise there’s more to do. But that’s what I love about it—the constant growth. It’s going to be an exciting chapter in my life."

As Spring arrives, Beth is firing on all cylinders. She’s aiming for even greater heights in her playing career, she’s diving headlong into the headwinds of running her own business and playing a crucial role in Mousehole AFC’s push for a play-off spot. There’s stress and the inevitable frustration and dis appointment at times. But for Beth, knowing she makes a difference is what spurs her on.

"It’s a really nice feeling. There are moments when I doubt myself, but seeing players return to the pitch reassures me that I’m doing the right thing. I know how much it means to them—like with Kevs [Jacob Kevern], who struggled after breaking his collarbone, then injured his shoulder just as he was about to come back. I understood his frustration, but when he finally made it back, his excitement became mine too. As someone who plays football myself, I know that all you ever want is to be back out there. Helping players get to that moment makes everything worth it."

There are clubs across our four divisions who are offering various initiatives over this weekend's fixtures, including free admission to female supporters at the likes of Merthyr Town, Poole Town, Leverstock Green, Hertford Town and Malvern Town, whilst Spalding United – nicknamed the Tulips – have had 150 stems of tulips donated by a local florist and they will be given out to each female that attends their game on Saturday.

Check out your club’s media channels to find out how they will be marking the day.

IMAGE: Mousehole AFC