After a big year in women’s football, a new fire service team has sparked interest from across Hampshire and Isle of Wight.
More than 20 women from across the service have signed up to play for the team which was formed by two new recruits.
Firefighters Emily Hill and Chloe Chalk met on their trainee course where they discovered they had both played for Watford Ladies in the past.
Following the HIWFRS men’s team recently reaching the final of the English Cup, the duo decided to form an all-female team.
Firefighter Emily Hill from Rushmoor Fire Station’s Blue Watch said:
“It shows how far diversity in the fire service has come that we already have really good numbers to form a team due to there being an increase in female firefighters in the organisation.
“Lots of people that join the Service are into sport and enjoy physical activity, so by having a ladies football team we can be flexible and train for and play games around our shift patterns whereas teams outside the service require a much more regular commitment.”
The team has already held their first training sessions as they prepare to compete in the Emergency Services South Women’s League, where they will come up against the likes of London Fire Brigade, Gwent Police and Cambridgeshire Police.
Emily and Chloe have also been supported by the HIWFRS men’s football team, who have helped them to get the funding, kit and access to pitches that the team relies on to train.
They are still looking to bolster their squad with even more signings as operational shift patterns make it difficult to get the whole team together at the same time, to ensure they are able to field an XI on matchdays.
Firefighter Chloe Chalk, who graduated in January before joining White Watch at Hightown Fire Station, said:
“The team is a really good way for us to all get to know each other as where we may be based across Hampshire and Isle of Wight we may not ever work together.”
“We are continuing to welcome new players and anyone willing to help the team so that we are well prepared with a good squad of talent ready for our first match.”
You can find out more about the team by following them on Twitter where you will be able to track their progress and catch their latest scores.