Woodley Wanderers FC is proud to announce the launch of its first-ever all-girls football team, the Red Pandas, marking a historic moment for the club. Whilst the club has always welcomed girls and played in mixed leagues, for the first time (reflecting the growth of the girls game generally), the club has a sufficient number of players to launch its first all girls team. This new initiative, made possible by the support of Tomato Energy, represents a significant shift toward investing in girls' sports infrastructure and providing girls-only spaces to help young female athletes build confidence and thrive.

Zsuzsi Page and Tom Bergmann, Co-Coaches of the Red Pandas shared their motivation for creating the team, Zsuzsi said: "As someone who grew up in America, where all-female football was strongly supported, both myself and Tom believe in the importance of having dedicated spaces for girls to play and develop their skills. When our daughters expressed an interest in football, we knew we needed to invest in the female game. Girls often drop out of team sports when they enter secondary school, and we see fewer girls in football. We believe this is due to a lack of investment in girls' sports and the absence of spaces where they can play with confidence. The Red Pandas were born from a desire to change that."

With 8 passionate and talented young players, as U7s, the Red Pandas in their first season will be competing in monthly football festivals as part of the Berkshire County Girls League, supplemented by regular friendlies in between, before going on to compete in leagues and cups in future seasons.

The support from Tomato Energy has been crucial in bringing this vision to life. "Sponsorship like this makes a huge difference, especially in times when the cost of living is high.” says Bergmann, “by passing on all savings to the families, we ensure that every girl has the opportunity to engage in the sport she loves."

Tomato Energy is a sustainable, community-led provider set to shake up the UK’s energy sector by revolutionising the way people access and utilise electricity. Its aim is to make renewable technology more accessible, while also reducing bills for customers.

Jodie MacAndrew, Community Manager at Tomato Energy added: “At Tomato Energy, we are committed to fostering the power of strong community investment, enhancing connections and supporting each other. This is an extremely exciting development for Woodley Wanderers FC and we’re proud to play a part in empowering young talent and the next generation of girls in sport. We look forward to watching the Red Pandas bring their energy to the pitch.”

The Red Pandas will wear their new kit with pride, representing not just their club but also a growing movement to challenge the misconception that young girls aren't interested in football.

Woodley Wanderers FC Chair Richard Rodway expressed his excitement about the new team: "This is a landmark moment for Woodley Wanderers. The Red Pandas are more than just a football team; they symbolize our commitment to inclusivity and the future of girls' football. We are thrilled to have Tomato Energy on board as a sponsor and look forward to seeing the Red Pandas make their mark on the pitch."

For more information about the Red Pandas, the upcoming festival matches, or to learn how you can support Woodley Wanderers FC, please contact:

Richard Rodway (Chair of Woodley Wanderers) or Zsuzsi Lindsay (Co-Head Coach, Red Pandas)
Zsuzsilindsay@gmail.com
richardrodway@sky.com