Women’s spotlight: Lucy Collinson in focus

Having played for Newhaven Ladies since their formation in 2017, this year will be slightly different for Docker’s midfielder Lucy Collinson. For in addition to her playing role, Collinson will also be taking up a position in the dug-out.

Following former co-manager Alex Ladd’s decision to move away from managing to concentrate on developing the ladies’ teams off the field, Collinson has stepped up to become now sole manager Andy Cook’s assistant.

“Getting into coaching has always been in the back of my mind,” she explains. “I’d already done the relevant courses, but I wanted to see how long my legs lasted with playing before focussing solely on coaching. They’re still just about going!

“However, when Andy and Alex approached me about supporting with the ladies’ side, it was a great opportunity to take the next steps and learn from Andy while still getting to play. My job is a PE teacher, so I have always had a passion for the delivery of sport – however coaching is very different!”

As one of the ‘original’ female Dockers, and a member of the 2017/18 treble-winning side, Collinson has seen plenty of positive change in women’s football over the past five years. Not just at the club, but as a whole.

“The overall standard of women’s football has definitely improved,” Collinson enthuses. “I have noticed a huge increase in the technical ability and composure of younger players; probably due to the increased chances they have had to play. More and more clubs are starting women’s teams and girls’ teams. It makes such a difference.”

Indeed, the increased opportunities for girls to play football is something Collinson feels is key when it comes to growing – and improving – the women’s game in this country.

They are opportunities that weren’t particularly prevalent when she was a young girl back in the late 1990s. 

“I have always enjoyed watching football but never had the opportunity to play much when I was younger,” Collinson says. “I played on the ‘boys’ team once or twice at Primary School, but I never had the opportunity to play at my all-girls secondary school. Because of this, my dad found a ‘local’ team that I could play for. However, this was still a 40-minute drive there and back twice a week for him! 

“My friendship group were very sporty but none of them played football. We all enjoyed PE but the only options available to us tended to be netball, hockey, rounders and athletics. I dragged a few of my friends along to some Spurs games and they were willing enough spectators… but none of them ever fancied playing afterwards,” she adds.

I’m sure there’s a Spurs joke to be made there. But I’m going to refrain from making it.

Collinson didn’t actually start playing regularly for a team until she was 14, bypassing youth football and moving straight into the ladies’ game. Having played for teams in Kent for a few years, she joined Eastbourne Borough when she moved to the town for university. When they folded due to funding issues, she moved to Eastbourne Ladies (now called Eastbourne United AFC Women) where she was captain, until leaving to join Newhaven in 2017.

“I was immediately impressed with the set up and facilities here,” she says. “This is now, obviously, getting better and better!”  

While things have thankfully changed significantly since the late 90s and early noughties – especially in recent years – the Lionesses success this summer has shone a spotlight on women’s football like never before. Making this, says Collinson, the perfect time to improve things even further.

“I think we have to ‘ride on the wave’ of any sporting success and create opportunities for girls to take part,” she states. “As a PE teacher, the issue of girls participating in any sport, not just football, is one that’s close to my heart.

“This doesn’t have to mean spending lots of money, but simple things such as free match entry for girls/ladies, female mascots and including interviews with youth teams in club programmes. Informing parents at schools and local clubs/centres of opportunities in the local area and places where girls can go to play sport is also really important. We rely heavily on volunteers at a youth level and these people should be celebrated and supported within the clubs and communities to carry on building these opportunities. That’s why it is so great when clubs like Newhaven promote and support their women’s and girl’s teams properly.”

Some of the initiatives mentioned above by Collinson are already in-place at Newhaven.

Entrance to all Newhaven Ladies home matches is free (kick-offs are at 14:00 on Sunday’s) and there has been more focus placed on engaging members of the girl’s team to come along and watch. Making them mascots is just one initiative that will be used to drive this.

The first home match of Newhaven Ladies’ league campaign takes place on 4^th September, when Cray Valley are the visitors. Before that, though, the female Dockers travel to Ashford United (21^st August) and Hastings United (28^th August) to kick-off their second full season in Division One South of the London and South East Regional Women’s Football League.  

So with the dawn of the new season just around the corner, how has Collinson found the early days of her dual role of player/assistant coach?

“It’s been different,” she answers. “I never really appreciated just how much has to happen in order to get even a friendly game or training on – it has definitely opened my eyes to things that go on behind the scenes!

“We’ve only had pre-season games to date, so I am really excited to get going properly!”

And how have Collinson’s teammates reacted to her partial move into the dug-out?

“I don’t think anything has massively changed – although the girls may tell you differently… They’re a great squad, very open and welcoming and I don’t think that vibe has changed. I have some good friends here who have made the transition really easy.

“Also, I think I just used to say my piece anyway so that hasn’t really changed!”

Newhaven upcoming home fixtures (entry is free; kick-off is 14:00)

4^th September: Cray Wanderers (league);

25^th September: Maidstone United (league);

2^nd October: Fulham (FA Cup);

9^th October: Bromley (league);

13^th November: Steyning Town (league);

27^th November: Herne Bay (league).