When feminine college students at Hanyang University, Republic of Korea, wished an opportunity to play soccer themselves, they determined to create that chance.
In March 2023, a bunch of scholars from the Department of Sports Science based Hanyang FC Ladies, initially below the title HY-LION. What started as a small initiative by feminine sports science college students has since grown right into a workforce made up of scholars from eight completely different majors throughout the college. Today, the membership commonly participates in women’s college soccer leagues and futsal competitions.
Before the workforce was established, alternatives for feminine college students to actively participate in sports on campus had been restricted. While a number of soccer golf equipment existed, most had been male dominated and feminine college students usually participated as managers or in supporting roles fairly than as gamers. Similar patterns may very well be seen in different sports golf equipment equivalent to basketball and volleyball.
Determined to vary that setting, the scholars determined to construct a space the place ladies may play soccer themselves. That imaginative and prescient led to the creation of HY-LION, the college’s first women’s sports workforce.
However constructing and sustaining the workforce got here with its personal challenges. Recruiting gamers and sustaining common participation was not straightforward particularly as many members had been new to soccer and wanted time to study the basics. As gamers left and new members joined, the workforce usually needed to restart coaching from the fundamentals. Despite these difficulties the gamers remained dedicated to their aim.
Participating over profitable
“Of course achieving good results matters,” mentioned workforce captain Park Ji-ye. “But what we really wanted was to help more female students develop an interest in sports and football and keep participating.”
The workforce continued to achieve expertise by competing in tournaments every time attainable. One of their most memorable moments got here through the WUFL Let’s Play Women’s University Football Club League. Although the competitors was designed as an eight-a-side event, Hanyang FC Ladies confronted an sudden problem. Due to accidents and a scarcity of gamers the workforce had solely six gamers obtainable and no substitutes. Technically they may have withdrawn from the match. But nobody steered giving up.
“What I remember most is that everyone kept running until the very end, even though it was difficult,” Park recalled. The gamers inspired each other all through the match, pushing ahead collectively regardless of the drawback. The expertise in the end strengthened the workforce’s bond and left a long-lasting impression on its members.
A tough sport for ladies to entry
For many gamers, becoming a member of the workforce additionally carried private that means. Son Myeong-bin, a member of Hanyang FC Ladies, mentioned alternatives for ladies to study soccer had been usually restricted. “Football is still a sport that many women find difficult to access. Even if you want to learn, there aren’t many places where you can actually start,” Son mentioned. “But through HY-Lion(Hanyang FC Ladies), I was able to learn the basics of the sport I love and even experience playing in real matches.”
Another participant, Kwon Ha-young, mentioned the workforce supplied an setting the place feminine college students may problem themselves with out hesitation. “One day I suddenly thought I wanted to learn football, and I discovered that our university had a women’s football club,” Kwon mentioned. “Being able to play with women my age made it much easier for me to try. Watching other girls run, sweat and enjoy football together gave me a lot of energy.”
For its members, Hanyang FC Ladies has turn out to be greater than only a soccer membership. It is a space the place they’ll overcome hesitation and pursue alternatives that when felt out of attain.
Looking forward, captain Park hopes women’s soccer and women’s sports will turn out to be extra accessible to college students throughout campus. She believes the workforce can develop past a sports membership and turn out to be a group the place college students from completely different backgrounds come collectively and develop as teammates.
“I hope women’s football becomes more popular so it’s not seen as something difficult to join,” Park mentioned. “I want our club to be a team where different people come together and grow into a strong, united group.”
Since its founding, Hanyang FC Ladies has continued to create alternatives for feminine college students to expertise sports and problem themselves on the sector. While obstacles stay, the workforce is steadily carving out a spot for women’s soccer on campus.
The International University Sports Federation (FISU)’s subsequent occasion in Korea would be the Chungcheong 2027 FISU World University Games from 1 to 12 August. While soccer isn’t on the sports programme, be certain that to not miss it! Find out extra here.