Hampstead FC and Hampstead Women FC have announced a merger, establishing a newly-formed super club as one of the leading female teams in the capital.
The move unites the largest youth football club in north London with one of the most successful women’s teams in the borough under the name Hampstead FC.
Chairperson Diane Culligan said: “Hampstead FC has always focused foremost on player development.
“Adding an adult ladies team has been a club ambition for some time and this merger offers our girls a clear exit route and the opportunity to aspire to represent the club as adults.”
The two NW3 clubs already shared parallels aside from geography – both have been awarded the Charter Standard by the FA in recognition of their excellent set-ups, and they have the same motto: “non sibi sed toti” – ‘not for oneself but for all’.
Andrew Azzopardi, the head of girls’ football at Hampstead FC, said: “It’s a very exciting time to be at the club. Integrating a quality adult women’s team will provide our girls with strong role models to support their development, but we hope it will also give the women an opportunity to feed their experience back into the community through coaching of the younger teams.
“That in turn will aid their own progression, helping them to attain certified coaching qualifications.”
John Baker, chairman of Hampstead Women, will join the committee of Hampstead FC to advise on women’s development. He said: “I am delighted with this deal. The strong youth set-up will provide a consistent pool of developing talent to feed into the women’s team.
“It guarantees a long-term future for the club and allows it to compete off-field with on-field rivals such as Tottenham and Luton Town, who already benefit from these advantages.”
Trials for the re-formed Women’s team will start in April 2013 and full pre-season training will take place over the summer in preparation for a return to league football in the coming 2013-14 season.
If you are interested in playing or coaching at the club please contact Hampstead on info@hampsteadfc.org or, follow the club on Twitter @HampsteadWFC for Women and @Hampstead98 for the girls, or on its website www.hampsteadfc.org
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