Branding themselves as Singapore’s answer to Women’s Grassroots Football, Hilderinc Ladies have lived up to their claims
"Grassroots is the bedrock of any society, it’s where the masses are." - Ian Morris, Founder, Hilderinc FC
Founded in 2017 with only two women, Hilderinc Women's Football Club has since blossomed into a vibrant football community which boasts 120 active players.
With players categorised into different groups based on their footballing abilities, the club trains on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays.
The six year-old women’s side is one of the only clubs that provide women in Singapore with the opportunity to get involved in the game at a social and non-elite level, no matter your age, background or ability.
Opportunities to play at such a level is something that Ian Morris, founder of Hilderinc FC feels is essential to the development of the overall women’s football scene in Singapore.
“Grassroots is the bedrock of any society. It’s where the masses are. We have to face the fact that only a handful will play at club level. It’s also a fact that after the football most girls play in school right up to university, there are no more opportunities for after they leave,” Morris shared with SportPlus.sg.
Morris, who founded Hilderinc FC in 2000 with his friends, noticed that the current narrative of Singapore’s grassroots football is hyper focused on youth football.
“More must be done for adult grassroots football, and adult women’s football in particular if we want to see real, sustained growth,” Morris shares.
“Grassroots is where the late bloomers, along with the supporters and parents of girls who play football are. If we continue to consider them outside of the Singapore football narrative, we will continue to take one step forward, and two steps back in growing women’s football.”
Sandy Zhang, originally from China, joined the club in August 2022. Despite picking the sport up from scratch, she moved from the beginner’s trainings to the intermediate sessions in record time due to her rapid improvements. What really caught her eye was seeing women of all playing abilities come together to play.
“The camaraderie, determination, and joy that these women display on the field is a testament to the power of sports to empower and unite people. It's heartwarming to see them break barriers and challenge stereotypes, all while enjoying the beautiful game of football,” Sandy shared.
“I remember two players who happen to be a mother and daughter and both of them played very well. Their dynamic was truly inspiring to me, as it highlighted the shared passion that transcends generations. I am confident that these moments create cherished memories for them as well.”
Adults grassroots football is not only important for the growth of the game. At its core, social and non-competitive football is a haven for making friends and maintaining a healthy mind. When the world descended into chaos and all but a few businesses paused operations in 2020 due to Covid 19, the women of Hilderinc found ways to keep going by training in groups of two and wearing masks.
“We were, perhaps the only club that remained active. It helped many to join us and build friendships. We were able to provide a platform for healthy mental well-being through football and fitness,” Morris added.
Sandy considers the club to be her favourite team in the world, and she started coming to sessions with her friends before she eventually began going solo and meeting more advanced players.
“It was a very happy time. It feels very safe and comfortable to see the same people regularly and playing together. My English has also improved! They were very kind in teaching me some rules and basic skills, which helped me improve so much,” Sandy recounts.
At social levels with women only just beginning to learn the fundamentals of the game, Morris and the team were adamant about creating the safe environment that Sandy had benefitted from.
“Even in this day and age, sadly, there are misogynistic view points about women playing football. We have always been quick to correct any stereotypical ideas whenever we counter it. We hold that as a non-compromising principle in the club. Anyone who comes knows she will be allowed the highest respect and she can play without any reservations,” Morris says.
After learning that Sandy had come to her first session with no prior playing experience, Morris and her teammates had only four rules that Sandy was made to follow.
Do not say sorry.
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
Make mistakes.
Have fun.
These four simple rules stuck with Sandy and are now applied into every other aspect of her life. It is clear to see that her teammates have created a home away from home for her.
“The shared passion for the sport fosters a strong sense of belonging. This sense of community not only improves my performance on the field but also enriches my overall experience,” Sandy shares.
“Each time I successfully score a goal with the assistance of my teammate's pass and then exchange enthusiastic high-fives with them. That‘s pure trust and support. These are the moments I truly cherish.”
Find out more about Hilderinc Ladies and Hilderinc Football Club via the official website here.
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