This summer, VERSUS has teamed up with Kitlocker to launch ‘Grass to Grace’, an editorial series celebrating the power of women’s grassroots football — and the communities that make it thrive. Partnering with Hamster FC, TBC FC and Bend It Like Peckham to spotlight their stories, identities, and the culture they’re building on and off the pitch through custom kit design.

Bend It Like Peckham have been running weekly kickabouts under the three trees on Peckham Rye for over a decade — quietly building one of London’s most welcoming, supportive and proudly inclusive football spaces. Founded to create a safe, low-pressure environment for women and non-binary players to play, learn, and connect, the team has grown from a casual Sunday kickabout to a cornerstone of community football in South London.

More than just a team, BILP is a home for people who never saw themselves in football — whether they’re total beginners, returning to the game after years away, or just turning up to see what it’s all about. With a turn-up-and-play model, a £4 training fee, and a culture where no one’s left on the sidelines, it’s proof that grassroots football can be joyful, accessible, and deeply rooted in care.

Until now, the squad turned up in mismatched kits, homemade shirts and bibs. But through 'Grass to Grace', they’ve created a kit that tells their story: complete with gold tones inspired by their first league win, progress flag details, and even the coordinates of their pitch stitched into the design.

VERSUS sat down with Amii Griffith, Stephanie Sarratt and Maisie Matthews from the team to talk about identity, legacy, and why for Bend It Like Peckham, it’s never been just about football — it’s always been about people.

Can you share a moment or story that shows the positive change your team has made? 

Steph: The 10-year anniversary, for sure. The turnout was massive. The original founders came down and spoke about the history of the club. Seeing so many people across different eras of the team all coming together…you could feel how much of an impact BILP has had in people’s lives.

Amii: There’s been different waves of people taking over the running of the club — Maddie and Kirsten founded it, then Roisein, Kate and Heidi carried it for the past five years, and now it’s passed on again. That handing over of the baton is such a testament to what this club means. It’s voluntary, it takes time and effort, but people want to do it — to keep BILP alive for the next generation.

How does it feel to put on a kit that represents your club’s identity? 

Amii: A kit gives you identity. It says: these are my people, this is my community. It’s powerful. Football is tribal — in a good way — and when you wear that shirt, it reinforces that bond.

Maisie: And ours is so personal. The kit literally has the coordinates of the space we play on — it’s this unassuming spot on the common, right next to three trees. It’s not a stadium, it’s not flashy, but it’s our home ground. That’s what you see when you first join: the trees. They’re on the shirt, they’re on the group chat, they’re everywhere. It roots us — literally.

Why is having access to proper kit so important to your team?

Steph: We’re a grassroots team in the truest sense and a non-profit, so the kits we’ve made before this have been entirely self-funded by the team. Ahead of our first Sunday league game a couple of years ago we actually made our own shirts, with iron-on logo transfers and a job lot of £3 shirts from a shop on Rye Lane. 

Having access to kit as part of this campaign has meant being able to show appreciation to our team members. It also helps us look and feel the part in friendlies and tournaments - we can leave the bibs at home and let our team mates show their pride for being part of BILP! A kit gives people a sense of togetherness, a sense of community and allows people to participate without needing financial freedom to buy all the equipment they might need. 

What message do you think your new Kitlocker kit sends to the wider football world? 

Maisie: BILP has such an incredible legacy, having been around for a decade. We wanted the kit to reflect that, putting the location on the Rye, ‘by the three trees’ at its centre. The relaxed nature of the club is what makes it so accessible to so many, and we wanted our kit to reflect that history and that openness. We also wanted it to include the Progress flag, because it's at the centre of our aim to be inclusive and welcoming. The gold colour was inspired by recently winning our first-ever Sunday league trophy!

What are some challenges your team has faced in getting resources or recognition?

Amii: We’re a non-profit and all of our proceeds from sessions go to paying our coaches, buying kit and topping up on essential supplies. Thanks to that model we’re very self-sufficient. There’s always more that could be done with more resources, but as part of our ethos of remaining accessible, we haven’t made official applications for funding yet. In terms of recognition, the grassroots community is great at lifting each other up and celebrating each other’s successes. An example is the recent FA ban on trans women from playing football - in response we’ve shared information and supported each other through decisions to step away from FA-affiliated leagues and work together to find and create inclusive opportunities to play. 

What’s one thing you wish more people understood about grassroots football? 

Amii: Just how hard it is to keep it going. There’s no money in grassroots — in fact, we pay to play. At BILP, it’s super affordable — £4 for training, league matches are extra. But that’s because we play on a free pitch. Most clubs aren’t that lucky. Booking a pitch on a Thursday night? Impossible. Especially at a decent hour.

Steph: Yeah, and so much of it relies on volunteers. People give up their time and energy to keep these teams running, because they believe in it. That’s what makes it special — but it’s also why sustainability is so hard.

How does this moment – receiving a custom kit and being featured in the campaign – reflect your team’s journey? 

‍Maisie: BILP has recently had a bit of a change in its structure. After founders Maddie and Kirsten ran it for five years, Kate, Roisein and Heidi took over for the last five. This summer as we mark our tenth birthday, we’ve welcomed new organisers Josie and Megan. We’ve also introduced over a dozen ‘Session Supporters’ - people who have volunteered their time to support Josie and Megan in the day to day running of the sessions every week. This moment is a celebration of the history of BILP and a reflection of how far we’ve come. From turning up in mismatched shirts to a team with shared identity and togetherness. Being seen and recognised in this way shows our players and others like them that they matter, that football is for them, and that community-led teams like ours are making real change from the ground up.

‍Where do you hope to take the club in the next few years? 

‍Steph: The club always aims to be accessible and relaxed, so its ambitions reflect that. Keeping it grassroots and laid back is a key part of its past and its future. Making sure cost, kit, or confidence are never barriers to taking part and continuing to build on the incredible legacy BILP has. 

We want to give more players (especially beginners) the opportunity to play competitively in matches and leagues (non-FA affiliated and trans-inclusive of course!) and we’re working on a new league that prioritises inclusivity. We want to provide opportunities for our players to learn more about the game, expand their leadership and coaching experience and continue to connect with our local community in Peckham. 

If you could send one message to young players coming up in the game, what would it be? 

Amii: Go for it. There are more teams out there now than ever — especially after the Lionesses won the Euros and smashed it at the World Cup. The profile of women’s football is rising, and that means more people are feeling brave enough to get involved. But even if there isn’t a team, just grab some friends and start kicking a ball about. That’s how most grassroots clubs begin.

Maisie: You don’t need to have been playing since you were a kid. That’s such a big myth. I used to think, “Well I didn’t grow up playing football, so I’ll never be good.” But that’s just not true. You can pick it up later in life — especially in spaces like this, where you’re not judged, and you’re supported from day one.

Steph: I played when I was younger and stopped for years. I only came back to it recently and now I think — "why did I ever stop?" If you love it, just go and do it. There are people out there waiting to play with you.

What would you say to other grassroots teams who are doing important work but flying under the radar? 

Steph: Knowing the values and ethos of your team is essential, as long as everything you do comes from that, the community will benefit and hopefully grow.

‍Inspired by these stories, and the kits that the clubs wear? Get yours from Kitlocker here.

VERSUS: Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your role within the team? 

Amii: I’m Amii, she/her. I’m an ex-player with BILP — I started playing in 2020 or 2021, around the time we could finally play football again after lockdown. Now I coach the team, which is honestly such a joy.

Steph: I’m Steph, I joined about a year and a half ago. I started by coming along to training sessions, then when we entered a league around nine months back, I got stuck in properly. I’ve played in a couple of leagues with the team now.

Maisie: I’m Maisie, also joined about a year and a half ago — I was inspired after watching the Women’s World Cup! I play in the 5-a-side league, and I’m currently co-captain. We’re not in a league right now, but we’re gearing up for the next one.

How did your team come together, and what inspired its formation? 

Steph:  Bend It Like Peckham started 10 years ago and began as a friendly kickabout on Peckham Rye, for women to get involved in playing football when it felt like there weren’t many dedicated spaces to do so. The founders, Maddie and Kirsten, had played a bit of football before but were looking to find somewhere that could teach some of the basics, while still being a friendly, laid back and welcoming space. They always planned for it to be a mix of coaching and a kickabout so people could learn in a fun laid back way. 

What does your club represent beyond football?

Maisie: A community that is designed to be as inclusive as possible and make sure cost, confidence or identity are never barriers to taking part. The unique set-up of the club (turn-up and play set-up, £4 a session) reflects the ethos of the club. We represent a space for women, trans and non-binary people to socialise, come together and feel part of a team. We champion inclusivity, empowerment and friendship, whether someone is kicking a ball for the first time or returning after years away, we provide a space for friendships and show that everyone deserves a safe, welcoming environment to be active and learn to play football. 

What kind of impact is your club having in your local community? 

Amii: BILP has been running at the same time, in the same place for 10 years and is responsible for an endless number of friendships (and relationships!) that are built on shared values and a love of the game. It's a safe space in the community for people to turn up and be themselves and provides people with access to a sport that hasn’t always been accessible. When we celebrated our tenth birthday recently, a common reflection was that "BILP changed my life". 

How does being part of this team support the players on and off the pitch? 

Steph: It's super supportive. On the pitch, it's encouraging and low-pressure. Because we’ve only recently started playing in leagues, there’s never been a hyper-competitive vibe. We’re here to have a kickabout, try things, mess up, learn. And then off the pitch — it’s sociable, it’s community. We go to the pub after training. Most of my friends in London, I met through this team.

Maisie: It’s not just football — it’s a community. You can dip in and out and still always be welcomed back. That openness makes it feel really special.

Amii: It’s been going for 10 years now — we just celebrated the anniversary. And throughout all that time, the vibe has always stayed the same: inclusive, accessible, open. We’ve got trans players, non-binary players, beginners who never had the chance to play before. It’s a space where you can show up as you are, try football for the first time, and be fully supported.