October Half Term Camp 2024
Our Story
Since 2018, Brighton Galaxy Girls has offered girls a fun and friendly environment to play football, develop their skills and make new friends. We pride ourselves on our inclusive ethos and ability to support and challenge young footballers to be the best they can be both on and off the pitch.
But none of this would ever have been possible if it wasn't for a small group of 12 enthusiastic girls coming to the end of their time at primary school and wondering what lay ahead for them as they moved into Year 7.
Having seen many of the previous Year 6s stop playing the game altogether the year before, these girls weren’t about to let lightning strike twice and, having successfully won the Brighton Schools Girls League 2018, neither were their teachers/coaches. They quickly set about getting arrangements in place.
So, one warm Friday in July, 12 girls took to their school field, alongside their coaches, ex-England U19 International, Briony Parks & ex-BHA Women’s GK Coach, Matt Evans, to start a new girls’ football club.
This would be a day that would change the lives of hundreds of girls forever…
Fast forward 3 months and the girls had come up with a name, a kit and started to invite their friends along to our training sessions. Word had spread and girls from different age groups and different schools wanted to come along and play at these unique, girls-only sessions.
Holiday camps, friendly matches and new coaches, including the hugely influential Wales International footballer Amelia Ritchie, had also joined to allow the girls to fully immerse themselves into the world of girls’ and women’s football. But they didn't stop there...
“We should help grow the game even more," one of the girls suggested.
”There should be a Galaxy for younger girls too!” implored another.
“We should raise money for charity! ” proposed one more.
It was only when one mentioned “We should go to the Women’s World Cup!” that we thought we should maybe slow down. But we didn't!
Within 9 months, 45 girls, parents and coaches were touring the north of France, watching the Lionesses beat Argentina at the Women’s World Cup 2019 and experiencing playing against some of France and Belgium’s finest young girls’ teams. And this was just the start!
When Withdean Youth FC approached us in February 2020 to help grow the fledgling girls’ section of their club, it created an opportunity for our girls to play regular matches in a structured league every week. But it was more that that. It was an opportunity to grow the game even more. An opportunity to deepen our roots in the local community. An opportunity where ‘If You Can See It, You Can Be It’ became a reality. It was an opportunity that our girls jumped at!
Since then, Withdean Youth’s girls’ section has grown from 4 teams to 12 teams in just two and a half years. This includes 10 new ‘Withdean Galaxy’ teams forming in that time, making us the largest girls grassroots club in Brighton & Hove - and we’re not stopping there. Plans for a new clubhouse on our Balfour / Dorothy Stringer / Varndean campus are well under way, benefitting these teams and enabling us to continue to grow.
Alongside this, our Brighton Galaxy Girls After School & Academy provision has now grown from Brighton into Hove with new sessions starting at Blatchington Mill in 2023. This takes us up to 15 sessions every week, engaging over 300 girls across the city and giving opportunities to over 25 young female coaches in this year alone.
Whilst we are extremely proud of our journey so far, nothing makes us prouder than seeing our journey come full circle.
Those Year 6 girls who were at the very centre of the creation of Brighton Galaxy Girls in 2018 are now in their GCSE year and are busy balancing football alongside revision. After successfully volunteering with us for the Duke of Edinburgh Award in Year 9 & Year 10, we are now extremely proud to have many of these girls on our Saturday Soccer School coaching team and Sunday morning referees’ team, allowing them to share their knowledge and passion for football with younger girls who look up to them as role models.
These girls have paved the way for hundreds of girls to enjoy the beautiful game and they continue to empower and inspire the next generation of young female footballers. We can’t wait to see more girls replicating their journey over the coming years.
What the parents say
"Our daughter (Year 6) has had a cracking time this past week. She has come back each day with a big smile on her face and full of football anecdotes. Its been a great place for her to make new friends, develop her footballing skills and confidence."
Gabby - Parent of 11 year old player
"Skye, Year 4, loved the Galaxy summer holiday academy We only booked her in for one day, but she had such a great time that she asked to go the following day too! The coaches made her feel very comfortable, teaching a good balance of learning new skills, playing in fun but competitive matches and offering continual support and advice. Thank you Galaxy!"
Natalie - Parent of 9 year old player
"My daughter (Year 4) absolutely loved every second of playing, even in the rain! Thank you for being so patient, when she became overwhelmed and had to go home on Thursday. Because of this, she felt confident, included and excited to try and come back again the next day. This club is so well organised, executed and every team member is so brilliant at coaching, we can't thank you enough!!!"
Mel - Parent of 8 year old player
Iona, Year 7, had the best week at the Galaxy summer training sessions. The coaches are so experienced, the structure of the day was fantastic and the girls all got on so well together. Iona felt very included and supported and made new friends too. I would highly recommend Galaxy training sessions for your daughter, and we'll back again for sure! Thank you so much Matt and all the coaches!"
Natalie - Parent of 12 year old player
"My daughter has just come home absolutely beaming and bouncing from her 1-to-1 session. She said it was really really good and she loved getting on the pitch with Amelia again! "
Liz - Parent of 13 year old player