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For our Autumn collection, False Start, we dove into the world of London Grassroots football, where we found that playing football was more about community spirit & friendships than winning trophies…
Victoria Park Vixens
In the most millennial way, the Victoria Park Vixens, were formed on Instagram, and now it’s the friendships, sisterhood & a sense of belonging that keep them playing together every Wednesday night.
How did the Vixens come about?
Nicole
@nicolemmapearl
We all found each other on Instagram. Morgan put a story up about wanting to form a football team and it got shared through several people and that’s how it lead to our first training and our first match.
Bella
@tacobella
Our founder Morgan was looking to join a new team without having to be the "new girl", she reached out to an IG friend and together word of mouth spread through social media and that is how we formed, we are now a club of nearly 30 girls.
Mog
@mog_choy
I really wanted to play again but felt pretty intimidated to join an existing team, so I thought I'd start my own, just over Instagram. Now there is almost 30 of us and I've somehow created a football club.
Why did you decide to join/form the team?
Nicole
@nicolemmapearl
I joined because I wanted to get back into football. Been playing since I was 8 but stopped when I moved to London for uni.
Bella
@tacobella
I’ve always loved and played football but really didn’t see it as something that could be fit into my life at this point in my life, I kind of just assumed that unless I was a guy, fitness at my age meant the gym or a spin class with Sarah from HR. I wanted to play football again because I knew I was passionate about it. It helped that the team was mixed and more of a fun side of things rather than competitive, it made it a great way to ease myself into sport again.
Mog
@mog_choy
I hadn't played football since moving to the UK, and I felt like I really needed to get started again. I really missed the team aspect of working out.
Scarlett
@gnarlyscarley
Although I've been working in London for the last 4 years, I've only officially lived here for the past year and not being a true local definitely made me feel a little apprehensive to put myself out there. When Morgan approached me on Instagram it cut out a lot of the intimidating process of seeking out a team and the awkward intros so was an easy yes for sureeee.
Besides exercise, what’s the best thing about being on the team?
Nicole
@nicolemmapearl
I didn’t expect this when I joined- but now I truly feel like I am part of a community. Joining the vixens and being part of grassroots Women’s football has given me friendships and opportunities I would have never formed on my own. I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone by joining this team, and now this feels my comfort zone.
Bella
@tacobella
A whole new family. being a bit of a tom boy most of my friends are boys so it’s always nice to meet new friends with boobs.
Mog
@mog_choy
As lame as it sounds, just meeting all the girls and feeling a part of something outside of work and my intermediate friendship group.
Scarlett
@gnarlyscarley
The lolsssss!!! Football aside we all have a lot in common and I felt like I could truly confide in the girls very quickly after joining. We're a loving bunch.
What does being a Vixen mean to you?
Nicole
@nicolemmapearl
Being committed, defending your mates, never giving up.
Bella
@tacobella
Pride and determination every Wednesday night, come rain or shine.
Mog
@mog_choy
Being a vixen means being a part of an amazing group of women with a shared love for football and a whole lot of respect for one another.
Scarlett
@gnarlyscarley
Being a Vixen to me means being unapologetically tom boy. I think I've always been a 'tom boy' but tried to conceal it to blend in with my pals but in Vixen mode I'm probs the grossest/smelliest/most un-glam I've ever been and it feels soooo gooooood.
What makes your team special?
Nicole
@nicolemmapearl
We’re all working in very diverse industries and that brings a really unique perspective for the team. It allows us to collaborate and work so well together on and off the pitch.
Bella
@tacobella
If you had asked me last season compared to now the answers are very different. We started off as a team of creatives and it was nice to bounce ideas off of each other, this season we are such a diverse mix of girls, and either way, both are nice and refreshing.
Scarlett
@gnarlyscarley
I think what makes the Vixens special is our relationship beyond football. Although football is what brought us together, the sisterhood def goes beyond sport.
What’s the biggest difference joining the team has made to your life?
Nicole
@nicolemmapearl
A stronger sense of belonging and becoming more vocal!
Bella
@tacobella
I was on the front cover of Time Out and now my nan raves about me to all her friends at church on a Sunday.
Scarlett
@gnarlyscarley
It's really liberating knowing I have football twice a week, mentally liberating knowing I have at least 2 hours a week I can feel completely free and content just playing a sport I love with girls I love too, something to look forward to.
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