There was something that University Hospitals Birmingham Trust didn’t have, and that was a female football team. However, Marian Byrne and her incredible colleagues changed just that.

When Marian Byrne first heard about a football tournament coming up, she unfortunately realised UHB didn’t have a women’s team. With exercise being an important part of her life, she knew UHB needed a ladies’ team. Football is a fantastic activity to improve staff wellbeing, giving these incredible workers something to look forward to and be involved in, and most importantly enjoy something that is fun, whilst encouraging more women to get into sport.

Marian works as a nurse for the NHS and managed to recruit colleagues to play on this team, who work as physiotherapists at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham.

On the 17th July, UHB Ladies Football Team took part in their first ever tournament: the Emergency Services Football League, where they participated in five-a-side matches. Undoubtedly the last year and a half has been incredibly tough on all NHS workers, therefore this tournament gave these ladies something positive to look forward to. There was some tough competition with teams comprised from the police force, the fire services, and the military. Despite it being this team’s first tournament and them being faced with some challenging competition, they managed to play incredibly, winning one of their matches! They also united with the Men’s UHB Football Team on the day, where both teams proudly supported one another throughout the tournament. Everyone involved had an incredible time representing their organisations, with RAF Ladies taking home the title of Champions this year! 

Marian Byrne remarked “we were very proud to represent UHB and the NHS and I think we did ourselves proud. It was a great day which really lifted everyone’s spirits, particularly after the last 18 months we’ve all had,” especially because in this league UHB Ladies were the only female hospital team.

The sense of pride was huge, since not only were they the first female hospital team for UHB, but they also put their all in and played fantastically on the day. Most importantly, the team reported having a wonderful time, mixing with colleagues and enjoying having fun on the pitch together – and that’s what matters the most.

UHB Charity was proud to fund these wonderful ladies’ kits on the day. It made sure this team not only played the part, but they also looked the part as well.

Up next, this incredible team is hoping to take part in a national league. Although this will require an immense amount of organising, including recruitment of players and coordinating fixtures, we hope this incredible team continues to flourish! Both the UHB ladies' and men's football teams did us all at UHB proud, and we cannot wait to see their next achievements on the pitch!

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