Grassroots Girls Photography Project

Artist Statement
Grassroots Girls Photography Exhibition

Thanks to a Developing Your Creative Practice (DYCP) grant from Arts Council England, ​I have spent a year making a step change in my creative practice from community film making to still photography. During this period of learning and experimentation I was keen to work on a project which has value in the local community.

I have the greatest admiration for the dedicated volunteers who work selflessly to provide opportunities for all in sports at grassroots level. I hoped that by working with Fremington Youth Girls and Women’s football teams in North Devon for six months, I would not only develop my photography skills but discover the secret ingredient which goes to make a football club family.

​My aim was to illustrate skills, strength and resilience in female football. I got much more than that. Photographically, there have been many exciting moments but the quiet, off pitch scenes have also provided some beautiful images, telling the story of what grassroots sport and the #FremmyFamily are all about.

Amanda McCormack
April 2022

The Grassroots Girls photographs were taken using an Olympus OM-D E-M10 MkIII camera
​with M.Zuiko 14-42mm IIR, M.Zuiko Digital ED 40‑150mm F4‑5.6 R lenses. 

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Scroll down for more from the footballers and responses to the exhibition...

"We are a family. I joined the team when I was in a low and dark place. They transformed me. My family. For life x
Amy, 36

"I love that once you’re on the pitch, nothing matters except what’s happening on the pitch."
Millie, 17

"I love that being part of Fremington Women feels like having a whole new family. Plus we get to play football, it's win win!!" 
Gina, 37

"Coaching these women who have become my family is an honour. The commitment and football quality is next level, this is why we started this team for the next quality,committed Fremmy players. It’s not just a team it’s a family. "
Jodie (33) 
 
"I love the friendly family feeling the whole team has, made me feel so welcome and appreciated when I joined"
MJ (18)

"I love playing football for Fremington F.C because we are a great team of girls and it promotes that girls are just as good as boys. "
Amelia, 12

"I love the adrenaline that you get when you make that tackle or score a goal."
Ella, 13

"I love playing football because you're with a group of people that like the same thing as you.  When you work together to achieve something it feels great."
Isabella, 11

"I like football because you make new friends and you could be proud if you scored a goal! 
​Ruby, 8 

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"I love football because I've learnt to love it.  My team make it really fun and enjoyable."
​Scarlet, 13

​"Football completes my life - in the same way having children did. It’s so much more than a game. Our Fremmy Family have each other’s backs on the pitch and off. We share together in each other’s lives and create single and collective role models for our children. I couldn’t be more proud to be part of a team like Fremington. No matter how cold or windy it is, no matter what a knackering week I’ve had - I always come off the pitch smiling and proud of my teammates."
Emily-Jane (39)

"I love football because it’s fun, challenging, exciting and helps with my fitness. I love being part of a team and doing my best for my team mates and it’s a great feeling when your team wins."
Khloe, 12

"Being part of the ladies team, is so much more than football. What an amazing, inspiring, courageous, caring and funny family I've gained." 
Heather (47)

"Football is fast, fun and friendly!!"
Karen (51)

"I like being a goalkeeper because I like saving shots.  I like seeing my friends at football."
​Georgie, 8

"Football is a fun way to stay fit and healthy, and being part of an amazing team is great for the soul!"
Liz, 38

"I enjoy football because it is really exciting and I can play a lot of matches, score goals and enjoy the victory with my friends.  Also I'm with a group of people that share the same interests with me (football).  It's so much fun."
Naima, 11

"Never thought I would play for such a great team and now I’m playing as Goalkeeper. Love the team & how supportive each player is." 
Sian (41)

"I like football because it is so much fun, you get to make loads of friends and there like a big famiy.  It's not just a single player and it's a team game." 
​Evie, 9

"I enjoy playing for Fremington because I get to hang out with people that enjoy the same sport as me. Its fun and enjoyable."
Millie (11)

"I’ve been part of Fremington women’s team since almost the very start. I can honestly say whether we win or lose our matches, our morals remain the same.  We are a team. A team that extends off the football pitch and provides support in every day life too. We are a family. I love playing football because when you’re on the pitch the chaos of life stops for 90 minutes. It’s our very own therapy session with the most supportive team, Fremmy family. "
Amy (27)

"I like football because it is exiting and fun.  It feels amazing to win as part of a team not just individually."
Francesca, 9

"We are more family than teammates. We support each other on and off the pitch." 
Barb (49!!!)

"Being with my friends & part of a team."
Charlotte, 14

"I really like it because I am with my friends exercising & playing football games against other local teams."
Olivia, 15

Grassroots Girls Exhibition Guest Book Comments

​Fremington FC

Fremington Youth FC in its current guise was resurrected in the 2010/2011 season by George Tossell with a team of U10 boys who were the children of parents from the village of Fremington and surrounding areas.

There had always been a strong tradition of football in the village, both youth and men’s, so George [Mr Fremington] was keen to rekindle this while at the same time giving the opportunity to boys of all abilities to play. The dream for the distant future was that some of those boys might end up playing in the adult men’s team when old enough. Way back then George and the other parents that got involved, me included, never imagined the club would grow to its current size and stature in the footballing community locally and across the South West. We currently have over 230 youth players registered, 74 of those being girls and a fantastic venue to use at Tarka Leisure.

The hugely successful girls’ section was launched in 2016 with the club offering girl only sessions which were aimed at giving a safe space for girls to participate and enjoy football. This also led to the club running an FA Wildcats Centre for girls from 5-11. In 2019 the women’s team was formed, initially with a group of mums and ladies associated with the youth teams, as a means of playing football, keeping fit and having a social outlet. The youth sections and the adult sections came together to be run by one committee and so completed the ambition of having a pathway for all, regardless of gender, from aged 5 right through to adult football and to ensure that football can be enjoyed by those players, regardless of ability.

None of this could have been achieved without the support and hard work of many, many coaches, parents, volunteers, supporters and of course the endless enthusiasm and passion of all of the players. Football is a team game and Fremington FC constantly show that they are the best kind of team. #fremmyfamily

Mark Rostock
Fremington FC Women’s Coach
April 2022

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Grassroots Girls Media Coverage

Grassroots Girls Press Release

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