The Lionesses’ European Championship triumph in 2022 arguably initiated a change in footballing culture well overdue. Recent years have seen an influx of young girls aspiring to female heroes such as Chloe Kelly and Alessia Russo, as their role models were finally afforded a level of media exposure previously restricted to their male counterparts. Equality is still yet to be reached, but progress in the women’s game has been sharp and this has been reflected no better than here at Kings Langley.

The start of the year saw the beginning of the club’s partnership with HealthyU Girls Football Academy, which is part of HealthyU Women’s Gym in Hemel, and the girls’ section is now represented by the most teams in the club’s history.

Additionally, a ground breaking move has seen Kings enter an all-girls team into the West Herts Youth League - a predominantly boys’ league - for the very first time.

Karl Thomas has joined as Head of Girls Football, combining the role with his existing one as HealthyU’s director and he is passionate in his support of the movement.

Kings are offering unprecedented opportunities for young, aspiring female footballers and a vastly increased number of teams provides large numbers of girls a chance to begin their dreams and a career in the sport at the club.

On the influence of the partnership, Karl says “Healthy U Girls Football is proud to be supporting Kings Langley FC with significantly increasing the number of girls’ teams entered to the 24/25 season.”

“This new partnership signifies our shared visions for the club and girls’ football with fostering growth, inclusivity and giving young girls the opportunity to develop in the sport.”

The Kings Langley Under-11 Whites, an all-girls team, are this year competing in the West Herts Youth League - a league made up of mostly boys teams. .

Thomas describes this as a “particularly significant milestone” and the move will go a long way in driving equality among Hertfordshire’s footballing setup.

A shot at such justness is one rarely afforded to girls in similar situations and a chance to compete on a level playing field with the boys will be relished. It’s testament to the quality of football displayed by the team and the organisation behind the scenes at the club that such a strong statement has been able to be made.

Thomas feels the achievement is “ground breaking” and a “major step forward for young female footballers.”

Club Chairman Darren Eliot says it is “one of my proudest moments at the football club” and it represents a breaking of stereotypical boundaries, not only at the club but among the national football system.

Girls’ football at Kings Langley continues to grow and we’re confident of success, and above all great enjoyment, at grassroots level for any young girls bidding to replicate their idols for many years to come.

Karl Thomas believes “Together, we’re shaping a future where girls’ football is empowered to thrive on the same stage as the boys” and 2024/25 marks a firm step in the right direction for the club determined to lead the charge