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.

TBC FC started as a WhatsApp group between a few mates in Cardiff who just wanted to play five-a-side. No name, no kit, barely enough players. But what they built — a proudly inclusive space for women and non-binary players of all abilities — has grown into one of the most exciting grassroots teams in the UK. With a focus on fun, accessibility and visibility, they’ve become a cornerstone of Cardiff’s growing 5s scene, welcoming players back into the game after years away and giving total beginners a space to thrive.

This campaign is about visibility, pride and putting power into the hands of the players. Until now, TBC FC were turning up to games in mismatched blue tops and bibs — and still making it work. But now, through Grass to Grace, they’ve designed a kit that finally matches their values: loud, joyful, and inclusive.

VERSUS sat down with team members Maisie Chatfield, Holly Charman and Sophie Squire to talk about building community, rewriting the rules of grassroots football — and what it means to finally feel seen, together, in something they helped create.

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

Maisie: We want TBC FC to be as accessible as possible, which also means keeping costs low and making sure there are no financial barriers to joining the team.

We’ve talked a bit about putting some money into getting a kit, but it didn’t feel like a priority, particularly when everything is so expensive and people are struggling to get by. 

We’re so grateful to Kitlocker and VERSUS for providing this opportunity so we can provide everyone on the team with a proper kit, helping them to feel like part of the team, giving them confidence on the pitch, and making them feel good while playing! 

Holly: A large part of playing football is feeling confident, and this kit will help us do just that. Look the part, be the part. And we’re going to look proper good in this kit. 

‍Sophie: A lot of the players in TBC FC have multiple other priorities – we all have different reasons for wanting to play football: for the community, for some extra exercise, or even to get away from the strain of day-to-day life for 40 minutes! But when we are on the pitch, it is important that we maintain an environment where everyone is on the same level. Having a matching kit – that isn’t just a collection of different blue hues and brands – really helps to sustain that feeling of belonging, of growing together.

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

Maisie: We’re here to play competitive football, but also to have fun doing it. The kit represents this fun, fluid, slightly chaotic nature of five-a-side. The inclusion of the Progressive Pride flag is also really important - it represents members of our club and demonstrates our inclusivity, which is particularly important at a time when there has been anti-trans rhetoric and decisions to exclude women from football. We want to send the message that you’re welcome in women’s football. 

Sophie: It says that we are here to play football, and we are here to stay! We are a team made up mostly of LGBTQ+ women and people who do not necessarily conform to gender in a binary sense. That is to say, we have likely all faced some discrimination within sport in our lives. To have a kit that proudly displays the Progress pride flag is phenomenal – little Sophs would be beside herself! And we hope that this kit will mark us as even more approachable to people who want to play football.

Holly: Women’s grassroots football is on the rise! We're showing up, taking space, and creating inclusive, welcoming communities for everyone ready to be part of the movement. Don’t sleep on it!  

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

Holly: The women’s football scene in Wales is much smaller than in England. We’re hoping that Wales qualifying for the Euros will help turn the tide like it did for the Lionesses, and the English women’s football scene, in 2022. We’d also love to see more people watching and supporting women’s football in Wales. I want to see sold-out games, watch parties, street celebrations, football shirts and merch everywhere!

Maisie: Money has also been difficult. It’s not cheap when you’re first starting out to buy kit, get equipment, rent pitches and cover league fees. As club founders, we always make sure it’s not a barrier for people - we have some spare bits of kit like shin pads, and try our best to cover the costs of people who are struggling financially, but anything beyond that is tricky to fund.

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

Holly: It’s not scary! Anyone can play and get involved. For those who have never played or are returning after a significant amount of time out, it might seem intimidating, but there will be a space for you, and if you can’t find one, start one!

I came into 5s having never played football before, and I’m amazed at how much progress I’ve made in just a couple of years. The best part of the grassroots scene is that it makes football possible for everyone. 

What does the phrase “Grass to Grace” mean to you personally?

Maisie: We obviously started off as a bit unserious (as you can tell from the name), we had about five players and had to pretty much beg other people we knew to play in our first season. Today, we’ve got around 20 players, we’ve established our team identity and grown our presence on social media. For me, ‘Grass to Grace’ reflects that journey we’ve been on over the last year - it's been quite testing at times, we’ve had to cancel games last minute and lose our league fees, but with some patience and resilience, we’ve come out on the other side as a stronger team and now we’ve got a swanky new kit to prove it!  

Holly: Levelling up. We’ve gone from barely having enough players each week to now having a team of committed players, and this kit represents that growth. We’re showing that anything is possible with grassroots football. Continue showing up on the grass and you’ll be rewarded in ways you’d never think possible! 

Sophie: It means growth, passion, and reward. We have all worked hard for this team. And we aren’t the only ones: all of us at TBC FC are showing up each week – even those who are injured show up to support (I had a collapsed lung and came to watch every game… Now that’s team spirit!) And after all that hard work we have been rewarded with recognition that we never even intentionally sought after. Hol’s incredible work on social media got us recognised, and that’s just one example of how doing something for the love of it, with no expectations, can result in something other than just pride to show for it.

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

Holly: It reflects the hard work that we have put in week in and week out over the last year, trying to grow the team, increase our visibility in the community and on social media, and just turning up and giving it our all for games. This goes for our teammates, too, who have committed every week to get us here. 

I remember designing our logo and putting together the Instagram page so we could share our progress, at first, just with friends, but I could never have imagined this being part of an effort that got us a custom kit and featured in a publication I’ve followed for years. Mental. 

Maisie: This kit and being featured feels like a real culmination of everybody’s efforts across the team, and the whole process of kit design to photoshoot embodies that too. It’s been an amazing experience! 

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

Maisie: Keep growing and establishing ourselves! We’d love to break into the 7 and 11-a-side space while keeping this fun, for-all football message at the centre. We’d also love to travel to some tournaments that champion women’s football and the LGBTQ+ community, in particular. The dream is to also be able to provide training for the team at a low cost.

Holly: I’d love us to become a well-known club in South Wales, and the UK, where people know they’re guaranteed an inclusive and fun space to play some football. Beyond that, more training, watch parties, and generally mobilising people to get involved in sport, no matter their age and skill level. 

Sophie: Aside from all the possible goals (pun definitely intended) within the football sphere, I really hope we never lose sight of why we started this team: for the love of the game, building friendships on and off the pitch, and amplifying our message of inclusivity to those who feel underrepresented in football.

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

Holly: Always make sure you’re having fun. No matter what level you’re playing at, don’t lose the joy! Football is fun. 

Masie: You’re part of a very important time in women’s sports. Keep going! No matter your skill level, there will be a team for you.

Sophie: No matter your background in football, you can be a valuable member of any football team. You will always find community in women’s sports. And if you can’t find anything easily, there is your sign to start something.

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

Holly: We’re so lucky to have been given this opportunity with VERSUS x Kitlocker! But it only came about by being visible. You never know who is watching. Be authentic, enjoy the process, and take every opportunity that you get! 

‍Maisie: Just keep persevering. Grassroots football comes with lots of challenges, and it might feel like a slog at times, but what you can get out of it is so rewarding. Even if it’s just providing access to sports for girls or women for a couple of hours per week, it's so important to provide that space, and you’re making a huge difference! 

‍Sophie: Stick at what makes football fun for you. We started TBC FC because we wanted to continue our silly little weekly kick-abouts. We had hopes for the team to grow, but we never had any wild expectations. Now, we are a team full of amazing people, all varying in ability and exposure to the sport. The opportunity VERSUS has given us seemed so far out of reach, but here we are with a swanky new kit! Put exactly the energy into your grassroots team as you want to get out of it: if you inject fun, it will be fun. If you prioritise accessibility, everyone will feel welcome.

‍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?

Maisie: I’m Maisie/Mais, I founded the team alongside Hol, Soph and our friend Meg. I manage the team, deal with all the admin and financial bits and make sure we’ve got enough players to field a team each week. I also play an important part in recruiting and welcoming new players, making sure they’re feeling comfortable and supported in their first game (and all the games that follow!). 

Holly: I’m Holly/Hol! I co-founded the team and run our social media. My role involves increasing the team’s visibility in Cardiff, and beyond, through sharing post-match and off-pitch content. I always want to get across how much fun we have while playing football and being part of the club — we’re not taking ourselves too seriously, and neither should you! Grassroots football is all about having fun.

Sharing Wales-based football news and opportunities is also important to me, as we want to help raise awareness of women’s football in Cymru and encourage more people to get involved. 

Sophie: I’m Sophie/Sophs, I helped found the team and am also the social sec. – I organise off-pitch activities and encourage any after-game drinks that might be necessary to dust ourselves off and talk tactics. I try to champion the importance of a positive attitude to any outcome, as well as room for everyone to voice concerns and suggestions. We are a mix of abilities and backgrounds, so coming together outside of our games is important in getting us all on the same page while on the pitch!

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

Maisie: A few of us played mixed 5-a-side with friends on a Monday night for a year, but we always liked the idea of setting up our own women’s team. When Jaz Haines worked with Gôl in Cardiff to set up an inclusive women’s 5s league, we knew we had to go for it. 

It started with a WhatsApp group called “TBC FC” between us. We knew we wanted to set up a team, but had no ideas for a name and barely enough players to field a team each week! We’ve since built our “brand” and have plenty of players each week, but the name remains the same. It reflects the casual, fun and sometimes chaotic nature of 5-a-side football, and remains true to our roots as a bunch of mates who didn’t quite know what we were doing or if it was going to be “confirmed” or work out. 

What does your club represent beyond football?

Maisie: INCLUSIVITY! All self-defining women and non-binary people of all abilities are welcome to join, and everyone gets plenty of minutes regardless of their skill level. 

We’re also vocal about the issues that impact people in our community, whether that’s sharing posts on social media about important issues or joining in on our local Pride march to demand equal access to football for trans people.  

Sophie: While football is what we do, our focus is on the community we’ve built outside of that, too. We have a lot of fun off the pitch. It’s a safe space to make like-minded friends and connections in Cardiff. Since most of us are adults with full-time jobs and hectic lives, it is important that TBC FC has a positive community feel while we are playing, so that people are excited to show up and play as a unit. To cultivate that sense of unity and amplify our inclusive nature, meeting up off the pitch is so important to us. We come up with our best ideas and create the best bonds with newer players when we are having fun off the pitch.

Holly: Having fun and building confidence. While playing well and winning games is important, it’s not the be-all and end-all. We want people of all abilities to show up, have fun, and feel like they’ve made progress, no matter what this looks like. I know, for me, that playing football has increased my confidence in everyday life. 

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

Holly: The more people we speak to in our daily lives and local communities, the more we realise that women don’t know that there is this space for them. While there are 11s and 7s clubs in South Wales, the 5s space is still new! By being a visible presence, as part of this still very new league, we’re showing women and non-binary people that this space does exist for them. And, actually, showing everyone that we exist (and belong!) in these often male-dominated 5s spaces. Women’s football is growing, including at the grassroots level, and we’re so proud to be a part of that. 

Some of our players have never watched or played football before – because it often felt inaccessible to them. Beyond creating a safe space to give it a go, we help keep our players educated on the past and present of women’s football (including encouraging them to watch it), and how they’re helping to build its future. 

Maisie: It all comes down to increasing access to friendly, fun, casual women’s football. No experience needed. You don’t have to train. You don’t have to travel. If you’re free on a Tuesday evening, you can come along and join us. 

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

Maisie: We’ve helped people return to the sport after 10+ years out or after injuries, in a fun, supportive and low-stakes environment. We’ve also introduced people to the sport who have never played before. This is often something they don’t even realise is possible for them. Unless you’ve played from a young age, it’s often seen as something you “can’t” do. But we’re helping to bridge the gap. TBC FC is for people who want to play fun, competitive football, but might not be ready to join a club that requires a higher level of commitment or skill. 

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

Maisie: Any time we welcome a new player who hasn’t stepped foot on the turf for years. It’s amazing to see them overcome their nerves and grow back into the game, and it’s always special when they score their first goal! We’ve had some players return after as long as 15 years off - the beautiful game feels very beautiful in these moments. 

Holly: Being one of the first teams in the league we’re in (CW5s), and watching it gain more interest, players and teams over the last year has been a privilege. To have played a part in that through increasing visibility and getting new players feels really special. It’s a little surreal to see so many women (and spectators) show up each week or otherwise show interest in the league, having once been part of just a handful of players in the league. 

Sophie: It’s incredible to me that even friends from my home town, literally 100 miles away from where we play, are following TBC FC on social media and constantly asking me for updates. They are men I grew up playing football with in primary school, who saw me fall out of love with the sport when other boys might have made me feel uncomfortable. To have them just as excited about women's football is sort of the bare minimum we are aiming for, but currently still feels like an achievement. Having people in the West Midlands rooting for a grassroots 5-aside team in Cardiff is quite cool!

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

Maisie: At the moment, we rock up on a Tuesday in mismatched blue tops – or have to wear the gross communal bibs to distinguish us! – but this kit cements our identity and unity as a team. It really makes us feel like a “proper” club, and we’re hoping our team members will feel the same when we get on the pitch. 

Holly: Wicked! It’s beyond words. We’ve watched our friends in other teams gain sponsorships or fund their kits over the last year, and I’m so proud that it’s now our turn. We’ve also had loads of fun during the process — getting to pitch our ideas, meet the designers and see the kit come to life over the last few months has been such a privilege. We can’t wait to wear it and feel like a proper, unified team. 

Sophie: When I first saw the kit in person, after following the process of the design come to fruition, I was speechless! The team community we have worked hard to create, and maintain, is now symbolised by a smart looking kit. That’s actually pretty crazy! It is so cool to have been able to put our own stamp on the design, being involved at every stage. Even the top players don’t get to have that experience!